Currently on view in the Latin American Library on the fourth floor of Howard-Tilton Memorial Library is Colonial Counterpoint: New World Texts as Sites of Encounter, 1492-1800. The exhibit examines early New World textual encounters between Europeans and Amerindians through selected rare books and original manuscripts from The Latin American Library’s special collections.
The Map of Cuauhtlantzinco tells the story of a native chief named Tepoztecatzin and his experiences at the time of Spanish contact, including his aide to Cortés and the introduction of Christianity to his village. The original map consisted of 44 oil paintings on European paper each measuring approximately 12 by 16 inches.
A facsimile edition of a Testerian catechism used to teach Catholic doctrine through visual symbols.
Facsimile edition of the Madrid Codex, one of only three (possibly four) painted screenfold books created and used by Maya priest-scribes prior to the arrival of the Spanish. Divinatory books such as these were considered sacred.
