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The Antiquities of Mexico Back to Agostino Aglio Homepage Link to the complete work on Mexican Antiquities at Real Academia de la Historia Agostino Aglio worked with William Bullock and Lord Kingsborough on Mexican Antiquities from about 1824 to 1830. The outcome of this work was a very sad affair. The history of events is currently being researched at Bristol University by Professor David Hook who is adding to the scholarship of Professor Ian Graham’s work in the 1970’s. Before coming to England in 1803, Agostino had been on a trip to Sicily, Greece and Egypt with Mr. William Wilkins to draw Antiquities. It is clear that, by nature, he must have had an eye for copying in fine detail.
The handwritten notes of the time written by his son indictate the extent
of his time in Europe. Sir Thomas Phillipps, an English antiquary and book collector, with the largest collection of books in the 19th century, supported the project from the very early days and it seems that by 1831 he and Lord Kingsborough were involved in litigation with Aglio. In 1832 Aglio still had not been paid for all his work and then he became embroiled in actions against Kingsborough by stationers in 1832 and 1833 requiring thousands of pounds for the supply of paper for printing the manuscripts. It seems that during this time was a Petition to the Court of Chancery against Aglio by Kingsborough. A 42 page document written by Aglio and letters between Aglio and Kingsborough at the time give considerable insight it the whole sad affair in which both went bankrupt. Kingsborough ending up in Debtor’s jail three times, finally dying of typhus in 1837. Sir Thomas Phillipps, who has been described as a bibliomaniac and who was planning to buy copies of Mexican Antiquities, was part responsible for the problems as there were some outstanding payments.. These events are being documented within an up to date study of Sir Thomas Phillipps by Professor David Hook of Bristol University The role of the internet in the unravelling of the history of this affair is of no little significance. Through these web pages David Hook saw that information about A.Aglio was available, more precisely -A Hand written document by AA about his work on Mexican Antiquities "Correct Statement of the transactions between A.Aglio artist and Lord Kingsborough on the work of the Mexican Antiquities from its commencement to its conclusion of the work." and letters between Aglio and Kingsborough. It is left to further work to give the full details of the affair, however history suggests that in the words of David Hook "Agostino Aglio emerges from all this as a sincere and open individual, probably too trusting given the people he was dealing with. Not one to challenge people to duels and punch a bailiff, unlike his 'patron'." Thanks to Professor David Hook for information and support.
Lord Kingsborough Sir Thomas Phillipps William Bullock
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