VIDA DE SAN FELIPE DE JESUS PROTOMARTIR DE JAPON Y PATRON DE SU PATRIA MEXICO

México: Oficinas Madrileña, 1801. (Lacks first edition text volume, but is accompanied by Second Edition Facsimile of text and plates, bound in leather).. plus 2 loose plates, bound in tree calf, deckled edges, 32 b/w plates by Montes de Oca, 1 added plate (p. 28) not part of original and not by Montes de Oca, some plates out of order. Documentation of the life of San Felipe de Jesus, copy genuine despite some variations. Mexico's first and only Saint to be martyred in Japan, born in 1572. Young Felipe Casas Martinez o Canales Martinez entered the Franciscan convent of Santa Barbara de Puebla. As a silversmith he went to the Philippines where he entered in 1592 the Convent of Santa Maria de Los Angeles, taking the habit in 1594. Two years later he embarked for Mexico to be ordained. Unfortunately he was shipwrecked on Japanese shores, and with other priests was taken prisoner and executed by crucifixion. He was made a Saint in 1862. Complimenting the text are black and white plates by Montes de Oca. Jose Maria Montes de Oca was a copper engraver active in Mexico City 1788 to approximately 1820. He was director of the San Carlos Academy of painting and illustrated the three volumes of Periquillo Sarmiento by Fernandez de Lizardi as well as many plans and views of the city. His plates of hummingbirds and orchids are highly prized. Very good, clean and bright copy.