El Liceo Mexicano. Vol. I and II. [all published].

Frequently cited as one of the earliest examples of Latin American science fiction, and the first published example of Mexican science fiction, the story “Mexico en el año 1970,” appeared in the inaugural issue of the present literary magazine, El Liceo Mexicano (pp. 347-348). Part of a phenomenon of “revistas literarias” in 1840s Mexico, the Liceo editors’ stated aim was to acquaint its readers with “useful discoveries, with progress in the sciences, and with the steps being taken on the path that must lead to the perfection of man’s knowledge.” (vol. I, p. 3, trans. Haywood-Ferreira). It included articles and essays on many modern sciences including the daguerreotype, electricity, education, sanitation, as well as Mexican history and literature, fashion, and music. 

The story “Mexico en el año 1970” is part of a first wave of Latin American science fiction focused on futuristic utopias and scientific progress. The pseudonymous author, “Fósforos-Cerillos” uses a narrator, Don Prospero, to describe Mexico City in 1970 as a progressive nation with national networks of balloon travel, nighttime illumination, theater companies who pop over from Europe for the night, sophisticated communication networks, and life-size moving daguerreotype technology (prefiguring cinema?). But the political system is also modern: corruption has been erased, justice prevails, educational opportunities and social services abound, and there is “paz inalterable en la ciudad más hermosa de la América.”

Rare in commerce.

[Lara, José Mariano, Ed.] El Liceo Mexicano. Vol. I and II. [all published]. Mexico: J.M. Lara, 1844. 26.5 cm, 2 vols. Vol. I: 434, (6) pp., 32 b/w pls., two handcolored; Vol. II: 360, (4), pp., 28 b/w pls. A few pagination errors as issued, light foxing and discoloration or wear from thumbing. Vol. I: some corners bumped/bent, a few small losses, incl. loss to upper edge of the first few leaves; Vol. II: a few closed tears at fore edge. Modern three-quarter leather binding, marbled boards, gilt title and date to spine, raised bands lightly rubbed.

*Note on genre “firsts”: scifi definitions and precedence are slippery. One earlier work of Mexican sf is known to exist in manuscript form (Fray Manuel Antonio de Rivas, “Sizigias y cuadraturas lunares […],” 1776). A newly identified, earlier science-fictional work entitled “Cuento” (now known as “Narración interplanetaria”) appeared anonymously in Diario de Mexico in 1810. But its allegorical story takes place between the inhabitants of Mercury and Jupiter and it does not reference Mexico (or Earth), leaving “Mexico en el año 1970” as the first known published sf set in Mexico.