Codex Nuttall

At the Bodleian Library The main research library of the University of Oxford, one of the oldest and most prestigious libraries in the world., I held the consultations which were necessary before undertaking so difficult and costly a work as its reproduction in facsimileAn exact copy or reproduction of a manuscript, intended to look identical to the original.. This has been admirably carried out by the firm of Messrs. Gilbert Whitehead and Co., of New Eltham, Kent, S. E.

It is with pleasure that I seize this occasion to express my appreciation of the interest and unsparing pains bestowed upon the work by the head of the firm as well as by the exceptionally skilled artists in their employ. Owing to various difficulties, partly arising from the fact that the CodexA term for a manuscript in book form; specifically the screen-fold Mixtec document. could not be removed from the British Museum building, the work was much retarded, and, instead of being finished by Nov. 1, 1899, as first anticipated, was not completed until April, 1901. One main reason for the delay was the fact that photography could not be utilized In the late 19th century, photography often struggled with the reflective surfaces or colors of ancient manuscripts, necessitating manual artistic reproduction., and the entire Codex had to be traced by the hand of an artist, whose accurate and admirable drawing is unsurpassed.

An expression of grateful acknowledgment is due to Sir Edward Maunde Thompson, K.C.B.Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, a high-ranking British honor., and to Mr. George Warner, the Keeper of the Manuscript Department of the British Museum, not only for the untiring interest taken in the work, but also for their kind supervision and correction of proofs during my absence from England.

Students of Mexican archæology will ever feel themselves to be under a great obligation to Lord Zouche Robert Nathaniel Cecil George Curzon, the 15th Baron Zouche and owner of the manuscript. for generously authorizing the present publication.