El Libro de Oro de las Senoritas, o, Consejos Utiles de un Padre a su Hija, Escrito en Ingles por M*** y Traducido por Juan B. Romero.
Mexico City: Juan R. Navarro, 1851. 208pp. Contemporary Mexican green morocco, gilt borders to boards, spine stamped in gilt. Minor edge wear, some scuffing to boards, light soiling. Uneven toning to text, occasional minor staining. Overall very good. Item #13052
An apparently unrecorded book of manners supposedly translated from the English language by Juan B. Romero in Mexico in 1851. The title translates roughly to English as The Golden Book for Young Ladies, or, Useful Advice from a Father to His Daughter. We were unable to identify any English sources for this work, thereby providing either an excellent research opportunity for a bibliographer to identify its source or as a new and interesting original work for scholars of Mexican literature in the 19th century. The half title indicates the work is part of the Biblioteca de la Semana de las Senoritas; OCLC reports just three other works under this series title, all works of poetry. All of the works in the series were printed by Juan R. Navarro, who also published a women's magazine under a similar title, La semana de las senoritas mexicanas. Navarro's magazine was aimed at educating and informing women on cultural events, history, and science in response to the absence of formal schools. The present work presents an ideal of female behavior through advice from a helpful father figure. The chapters cover topics such as friendship, education, reading, manners, conversation, entertainment, interpersonal relationships, marriage, religious sentiments, humility, proper use of time, and more. Somewhat morbidly, the twentieth and final chapter advises young women on "prepararse para la muerte" ("preparing for death").
Price: $1,750