First Work on Gymnastics Published in Mexico
Decreto e instrucción para la enseñanza de la gimnástica en los cuerpo del ejército y guardia nacional
Publication: Mexico: Imprenta de Vicente G. Torres, en el ex-Convento del Espiritú Santo, 1850. First Edition.
Notes: One of the first, if not the first, book published in Mexico and devoted to gymnastics. This is a translation of a book prepared by the French military, Instruction pour l'enseignement de la gymnastique dans les corps de troupes et les établissements militaires.
The book offers written descriptions of gymnastic exercises followed by plates illustrating many of them. There is also a brief overview of typical gym equipment with plates illustrating possible arrangements of gymnasia. For more information see María José Garrido Asperó's 2016 book, Para sanar, fortalecer y embellecer los cuerpos. Historia de la gimnasia en la ciudad de México, 1824-1876, which discusses this book at some length and reproduces several of the plates.
104 (one folding), [13] pages, [4] leaves (one folding), 24 folding lithographed plates. 7-7/8 by 10-5/8 inches.
Edition + Condition: First Mexican edition. Bound in late 19th / early 20th century decorated paper with a cloth spine. Boards chipped and worn at edges. Old dampstain along the top edge of the pageblock. A good-only copy.
Item No: #361922
Price: $500