Newberry Library - Notes on Waldeck's Indian pictorial manuscripts between 1840 and 1850

Title Notes on Waldeck's Indian pictorial manuscripts between 1840 and 1850

Creator Ternaux-Compans, Henri, 1807-1864

Date 1840-1850

Language French

Subjects Indian art, Indians of Mexico, Nahuas

Description Dates suggested by dates of Waldeck and Ternaux-Compans, and textual references.
Ms. note in pencil on verso of leaf [2] of Ternaux-Compans copy, in a hand similar to that of the transcriber of the other two copies: "Monsieur Mo. Longperrier Conservateur."
Accompanied by two additional ms. copies of the notes, in a different hand, one of which is signed by Ternaux-Compans.
Several of the mss. described by Ternaux-Compans form part of the Ayer Manuscript Collection at the Newberry Library. Cf. Ayer MS 1900 (no. 122), Ayer MS 1902 (no. 120), Ayer MS 1904 (no. 123), Ayer MS 1903 (no. 124), and Ayer MS 1905 (no. 125).
Forms part of the Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library)

Summary Signed notes on Waldeck's Indian pictorial mss. in the hand of Henri Ternaux-Compans, probably from France around 1840, following Waldeck's return from Mexico in 1837, describing the historical and genealogical themes of the mss., and confirming their authenticity and value. The notes, possibly addressed to a curator or conservator, Monsieur Longperrier [?], appraise the authenticity of the mss. by comparing the action of the scenes with the descriptions of events offered by Alva Ixtlilxochitl in his history of the Chichimecas. Ternaux-Compans goes so far as to suppose that the ms. once belonged to Ixtlilxochitl, as it was described by Boturini. The pictorial mss. numbered 118 and 119 by Waldeck, depict Xolotl, first king of the Chichimecas, on his throne. The chiefs of three tribes--Acolhuatzin of the Tepaneques, Chiconquauktli of the Otomitas, and Tzontecomatl of the Aculhuas--approach Xolotl, asking for land. He grants them their wish, and in addition, gives his two daughters in marriage to Acolhuatzin and Ciconquaktli. Mss. 120-122 are both genealogical and testamentary, documenting the division of property--important more for what they tell us about the well-regulated laws of the Mexicans. No. 123 depicts the capture of Azcapotzalco, and the death of Maztlaton, and nos. 124 and 125 are a property map and calendar, respectively. Finally, no. 126 relates the history of the Mexicans from 1323 to 1590. Ternaux-Compans notes that in addition to these originals, Waldeck's collection includes many facsimiles, all of which contribute to a greater understanding of the ancient civilizations of the New World.

Extent 3 items ([6] leaves) ; 31 cm or smaller.

Archival Collection Title Edward E. Ayer Collection

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

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Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number Ayer MS 880

BibID 174308

Size 2443px × 3565px 24.95 MB

IIIF Resource Type Canvas

Filename 991743088805867_Ayer_MS_880_00001.tif

Unique Identifier NL11IDCQ