The First Nuevomexicano History
Historia popular de Nuevo México desde su descubrimiento hasta la actualidad
Notes: A very scarce landmark in Latinx historical writing. Francisco de Thomas was the "first Nuevomexicano to narrate New Mexico's Spanish past and to encourage Nuevomexicano pride" and this book was "the first comprehensive Spanish-language history of New Mexico following the American conquest." De Thoma's goal was "to present to our people a true story, as exact as possible, of three centuries of deeds. Its principal objective: to remind the 'neo-mexicanos' of the glorious achievements and painful suffering that their heroic ancestors endured [and] to arouse pride in the souls of [Nuevomexicanos] for being part of one of the most generous, noble, and valiant races of the universe—the Spanish race" (quotation and translation from John M. Nieto-Phillips, The Language of Blood, p. 188).
De Thoma was a Spanish immigrant to New Mexico who edited the Albuquerque Spanish-language newspaper, El Nuevo Mundo. His Historia popular was the only Spanish-language book, other than a couple of elementary readers, adopted by the New Mexico territorial board of education for the 1899 to 1903 term. De Thoma offered the book at 30 cents per copy, against a list price of 75 cents, suggesting either generousity or lots of unsold stock (See Report of the Governor of New Mexico to the Secretary of the Interior, 1901). Whatever the case, the book is quite uncommon today.
185 pages plus ads.
Edition + Condition: First edition (with seven pages of publisher's ads). Some wear to covers; lacking the rear endpaper, the same as the only other copy I have ever had. Lower inch of the final blank missing. A solid copy of a scarce book. With the bookstore stamp of the Taos Book & Stationery Co. on the front free endpaper.
Publication: New York: American Book Company, 1896.
Item No: #360764
Price: $650