first edition
1943 · Mexico
by Merida, Carlos
Folio (16 ¾ x 12 ¾ inches). Gray cloth over orange printed paper boards with black lettering and decoration to top cover. Light wear to tissue guards and boards with 1 ½” smudge to lower bottom board; all ties present.
As issued, ten loose original color lithographs, each with tissue guard containing text in Spanish and English, from the Popol-Vuh. In addition to the title and justification pages, two pages, one in English and one in Spanish, tell the story of the Popol-Vuh. Written in the mid-16th century, the Popol-Vuh is an account of the gods, the creation of the universe, and the mythological history of the Maya Quiche civilization. Number 831 of 1,000 copies, signed by Merida, who was born in Guatemala in 1891 and died in Mexico in 1984. He studied in Europe, was heavily influenced by Cubism and worked with important artists in Mexico including Diego Rivera. While achieving international success, Merida never forgot his Mayan ancestry, which led him to the present work. Scarce.
(Inventory #: 2000.1943)