Folio Archives 147: The Happy Captive by Pineda Y Bascuñån 1977
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The Happy Captive by Francisco Nüñez de Pineda Y Bascuñån 1977
This small 155 page book is the true story of young Captain Pineda Y Bascuñån in the Spanish army who in 1620 was captured during a battle in Chile by the local inhabitants. He was the son of the Spanish General and was therefore highly prized as a captive. The book was written 30 years after the events portrayed in an attempt to obtain some relief from his old age penury.
It is a fascinating tale of life amongst the Araucanian natives of southern Chile, who Bascuñån depicts as gallant noble savages, with their own internal squabbles, festivities and very different culture. He is taken under the protection of the cacique (clan leader) who captured him, and after many adventures, is returned to his father.
The book has been translated and introduced by William C Atkinson, and there are numerous integrated vinyl-cuts by John Lawrence scattered through the book. There are black on pink map endpapers (different front and back), and the top page edges are stained maroon. The binding is quarter brown leather with gilt spine titling and banding, with light brown cloth covers blocked with a maroon picture by Sue Bradbury on the front. My copy has some damage to the leather part of the binding, as shown in the photos. The textured maroon slipcase is 23x14.7cm.
A very interesting book to read as a first-hand insight into the interactions between the Spanish and natives in South America 400 years ago.
Front endpaper
Back endpaper
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
This small 155 page book is the true story of young Captain Pineda Y Bascuñån in the Spanish army who in 1620 was captured during a battle in Chile by the local inhabitants. He was the son of the Spanish General and was therefore highly prized as a captive. The book was written 30 years after the events portrayed in an attempt to obtain some relief from his old age penury.
It is a fascinating tale of life amongst the Araucanian natives of southern Chile, who Bascuñån depicts as gallant noble savages, with their own internal squabbles, festivities and very different culture. He is taken under the protection of the cacique (clan leader) who captured him, and after many adventures, is returned to his father.
The book has been translated and introduced by William C Atkinson, and there are numerous integrated vinyl-cuts by John Lawrence scattered through the book. There are black on pink map endpapers (different front and back), and the top page edges are stained maroon. The binding is quarter brown leather with gilt spine titling and banding, with light brown cloth covers blocked with a maroon picture by Sue Bradbury on the front. My copy has some damage to the leather part of the binding, as shown in the photos. The textured maroon slipcase is 23x14.7cm.
A very interesting book to read as a first-hand insight into the interactions between the Spanish and natives in South America 400 years ago.
Front endpaper
Back endpaper
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
