Our Catholic Heritage In Texas, 1519-1936. Seven Volumes

CARLOS E. CASTANEDA

Publication: Von Boeckmann-Jones Company, Publishers, 1936 to 1958, Austin, 1936, 1958

First editions. Issued serially from 1936 to1958. Seven volumes (complete) containing over 3200 pages. Index in each volume as well as a bibliography. Nine maps (7 folding). Numerous illustrations. Original blue decorative fabrikoid with gilt spines. Minor rubbing to the spine ends, Volumes 1 and 3 have faint library numbers on the spines and small ink stamps of a Catholic college on the front free fly leaf, no pockets or other markings. Volume 4 has a cracked front hinge (but holding). Still a very good, tight set. The most thorough history of Texas in the Spanish period, with the first six volumes devoted to the period from Alonso Alvarez de Pineda's mapping of the Texas coastline in 1519 to Texas independence in 1836. The seventh volume is a history of the Catholic Church in Texas from 1836 to 1950. Castaneda (1896-1958) was one of the leading historians of Texas of his era, in part because as a native Spanish speaker, he could thoroughly tackle the original source documents and as a devout Catholic, he had a deep cultural understanding of the Spanish explorers and settlers. Jenkins, Basic Texas Books 27 writes that this work opens up a world of entirely new history for the Big Bend Region and for South Texas and provides by far the most complete account of the missions in the San Antonio-Goliad region and in East Texas," and Tate (Indians of Texas) says it is an "invaluable source of information on all phases of Catholic influence in Texas. Detailed information on Indian tribes from the coastal and eastern sections of the state is extremely valuable, especially in the first four volumes. No researcher can afford to overlook this seminal work." Jenkins, BTB 27: "The best history of the three centuries of Spanish and Mexican Texas ... Castaneda gives us the first detailed account of literally dozens of expeditions and settlements in Texas ... He opens a world of entirely new history for the Big Bend region and South Texas, and provides by far the most complete account of the missions in the San Antonio-Goliad region and in East Texas ...The coverage of the latter part of the period 1800-1836 is weakest, emphasizing the Mexican viewpoint but doing so fairly and with many hitherto unused sources. But the coverage of the early years of the 19th century is extraordinary and remains by far the best source at the present time. As William R. Hogan pointed out: 'the choice of the title was unfortunate' because it does not indicate the full scope of the subject matter, which is comprehensive and covers every aspect of Texas history.'" The author consulted untapped sources in the Spanish and Mexican Archives to complete this monumental work. Among the results are the usual eight to ten expeditions into Texas prior to 1731 is expanded to ninety-two. His additions to the history of the Big Bend and South Texas are of particular significance. Because it was issued serially over number of years; complete sets are very scarce. An important work on the history of Texas.

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