Vida de Benito Juárez

First edition, illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of Benito Juárez (cf. Palau 25905.)

Contemporary half red shagreen over marbled boards, spine in five compartments with raised bands, decorated with double gilt-ruled panels and gilt floral tools, a few minor abrasions to the spine, gilt gothic initials and gilt date at foot, marbled paper boards, the upper cover enhanced with a large aubergine shagreen title-piece lettered in gilt, marbled endpapers, corners worn, small defects to the edges, speckled edges, contemporary binding. 

The finest biography of Juárez, published less than two years after his death: "Esta obra es la más documentada y completa que existe sobra Juárez" [Palau].

Born in Oaxaca in 1806, this liberal lawyer of indigenous origin, opposed to General Santa Anna, was first governor of his native region before becoming President of the Mexican Republic in 1858.

His anti-clerical policy and his decision to suspend foreign debt payments prompted the intervention of Napoleon III. When Maximilian of Austria became Emperor of Mexico (1864), Juárez withdrew to the North, from where he led a guerrilla campaign. He captured Maximilian, who was executed, and returned to Mexico City, where he retained the presidency until his death in 1872.

On the half-title, a fine dated autograph inscription signed by Gustavo Baz to Armando de Montluc, Consul General of Mexico in Paris, dated Paris, May 1875.

Provenance: from the library of Armando de Montluc, with his gilt monogram at the foot of the spine.