DE LA CRUZ, Sor Juana Inés (1651-1695). Fama, y obras posthumas del fenix de Mexico, decima musa, poetisa Americana, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. Madrid: Manuel Ruiz de Murga, 1700.

A crisp first edition in its original binding of the rare first edition of the final volume of the works of Sor Juana, also known as the “Tenth Muse” and the "Mexican Phoenix." Sor Juana was a Mexican philosopher, poet, playwright, book collector, and nun who is one of the most important figures of the Spanish Golden Age—and certainly the most important from Latin America. The illegitimate daughter of a Spanish captain, Juana grew up in San Miguel Nepantla at her maternal grandfather's hacienda among his considerable library. Eschewing marriage, she entered a Hieronymite convent in 1669. Skilled in both Latin and Nahuatl as well as theology and logic, her radical thinking on church hierarchy and women's roles caused the Catholic Church to publish a letter in 1690 demanding that she focus on prayer rather than philosophy. She was eventually forced to sell her extensive library of some 4000 volumes as well as her musical and scientific instruments—one of the largest in New Spain. Plague struck her convent in April 1695, and Sor Juana was among the many victims.

Sor Juana’s work across genres engages with both contemporary and ancient philosophical traditions. This volume includes the first appearance in print of Respuesta a Sor Filotea de la Cruz, her famous defense of women’s rights and education, as well as a series of laudatory verses and texts mourning Juana's passing and celebrating her work. Among these is the first appearance of an early biography of her by Diego Calleja. While described as "volume 3," this final volume is often found separately, and given a separate listing in Sabin and Palau. Sabin 36814; Palau 65226; European Americana 700/149.

Quarto (202 x 147mm). Title printed in red and black, with added license and advertisement leaves. Engraved portrait within emblematic border by Josephus Caldevilla after Clemente Puche (occasional small marks, otherwise fresh and crisp). Contemporary limp vellum, title in ink on spine (remains of ties, spine/hinges very neatly strengthened).