Abstract
In 1921 Mexico lost an exceptional library, probably the most valuable Mexican book collection from the first half of the 20th Century: the personal library of Genaro García (1867-1920), sold by his heirs to the University of Texas in Austin. This article reviews this occurrence. Through a profile of the eminent bibliophilist and book collector which was Genaro García, all documents covering this story are presented, accompanied by two unpublished letters from Herbert I. Prestley to Genaro Estrada that recount García's interests regarding the sale of his library, event which occurred a few months after his passing away.