Gesta proxime per Portugalenses i India, Ethiopia, et aliis orientalibus terris. Cologne: Johann Landen, February 1507.

The first account of European colonization in India. Cologne edition, published three months after the first edition, of Rome. It documents Portuguese conquests in East Africa and India, and the first European arrival in Sri Lanka. This work described events mere months after their occurrence. It gives a summary of Portugal's key military actions in 1505 undertaken by Francisco de Almeida (1450-1510), the first viceroy of Portuguese India. His voyage was distinguished from those of Vasco da Gama or Cabral by his mission as viceroy, a would-be ruler rather than trading partner. The account covers the sacking of Mombasa, and acts of both construction and destruction all down the west coast of India, most notably in Anjediva, Honnavar, Kannur, and Kochi. Lourenço de Almeida, son of Francisco de Almeida, was the first Portuguese to reach Sri Lanka, accidentally landing while en route to the Maldives. In describing his visit, this work is believed to contain the earliest printed reference to that island, identified by its classical name "Taprobana." The first edition was unillustrated. VD16 P 4378

Quarto (172 x 119mm). Four leaves. Woodcut on title repeated on reverse with different woodcut borders, two small woodcuts below the colophon. Dark green morocco gilt by Francis Bedford, all edges gilt (mild foxing to endleaves).