(MEXICO).

AUCTION 50 | Thursday, February 24th, 2011 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Hebrew Printed Books, Manuscripts, Graphic & Ceremonial Art Including: The Alfonso Cassuto Collection of Iberian Art

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Lot 330

(MEXICO).

Inquisitional Manuscript in Spanish signed by Alonso de Peralta, the Inquisitor, ordering the arrest of Lorenzo Machado, a Portuguese, and sequestration of his property, and that he be locked in the secret cells of the Inquisition ("las carceles secretas") p. (1). Sepia ink on paper. 11 lines + signatures. Acid in ink has corroded portion of signature of de Manoza. Single horizontal fold across center. 7 x 12 1/2 inches

Mexico City: Saturday, 19 December, 1598

Est: $1,000 - $1,500

PRICE REALIZED $1,900

In 1594, Fray Alonso de Peralta took over the Inquisitorial functions in Mexico and prodded the Tribunal into even greater activity. In 1596, 66 penitents figured at a single Auto de Fe, however not long afterwards, proceedings were brought against Peralta for misconduct in office. See C. Roth, The Spanish Inquisition, pp. 212-13. The Inquisition in Mexico was especially phobic toward the Portuguese, as it was rumored that along with the connivance of Marranos, the the Portuguese were acting as fifth columnists intent on seizing Mexico from the Spanish. See EJ, Vol. XI, col. 1454. Provenance: W.W. Blake, San Francisco, Catalogue of Mexicana, November 1899, No. 266