Juan Bautista Morales. El Gallo Pitagorico. Mexico: Ignacio Cumplido, 1845. First edition. Octavo. 280, [1, Indice], [1, blank] pages. With twenty lithographic plates by Cumplido after Irarte, Blanco and Raphael (the number of plates in this work varies - some with eighteen or twenty plates, but there is record of a copy with twenty-three plates). Original front wrapper bound-in. Bound in near contemporary quarter brown calf over black paper boards, spine ruled in gilt, brown gilt morocco lettering label. There is a pocket on the inside rear cover, but it is empty (this copy does not call for a plate large enough to warrant the presence of this pocket - it is possible this binding is a remboitage). Some wear to binding, text toned, soiled, and foxed, with some tears to some plates and leaves (some plates repaired). Bookplate of Libreria Poblana. A good copy. From the collection of Zita Books.
"The great work of Cumplido in 1845 was El Gallo Pitagorico. Combining Cumplido's typography, Juan Bautista Morales' political satire and the excellent lithographs of Heredia, Irarte and newcomer Placido Blanco, this was the first major work to be illustrated with political caricatures. Such caricatures would later become the principal subject for lithographers." (Mathes).
Mathes, Mexico on Stone, p. 23.