Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan

"Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan", written by John Lloyd Stephens, with illustrations by British architect and artist Frederick Catherwood, tells the story of uncovering many of the Mayan ruins in the early 1840's (Cobán/Palenque and some 50 others)

Lacking knowledge of the area, President Martin Van Buren dispatched Stevens on the 7 or 8 month information gathering trip.  Catherwood, a British architect, is noted for the artwork contained in the two volume work mentioned at heading.
About twenty years ago I was fortunate to see the Catherwood Maya etchings at a NYC museum.  Astoundingly beautiful art work.  On the other hand I knew a woman who had the first edition "Incidents" valued at several thousand dollars 35-40 years ago.  I have read the unabridged republication of the 1841 release.  This edition is currently in print.can still be found in bookstores.

John Lloyd Stephens was a successful NY lawyer having enrolled in Columbia University at age 13,
followed by law school and a legal career.  The link to his fascinating life is found below.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lloyd_Stephens

Hacienda Jaral de Berrios

Jaral de Berrios

Many folks associated with Mexico and or booze are well aware of the high quality mescal,  Mescal Marquez Plata and other liquors made by Jaral de Berrios due to having received many international awards.  That, however is not the purpose of this blogpost, rather it is the history of the hacienda, which once employed 6.000 obreros in its heyday that interests me.  It is located at 6,800 ft in the small pueblo of San Felipe, Guanajuato.  

Andres de Berrios took ownership in 1694, and a much later de Berrios, Juan, became the richest man in México of his generation, leaving large land tracts for most of his 99 children. (Source: Trip Advisor)

I was able to get into the building several years ago (think$).  Tourists are not allowed in, as it is unsafe, with floors caving in, etc.  I later learned that a friend from Guanajuato, Gabriela H had family records indicating an undefined partial ownership in Jaral de Berrios.

For more information: https://www.mexconnect.com/articles/4268-beauty-among-the-ruins-hacienda-jaral-de-berrio