Antonio de San Roman, 1603

SAN ROMAN DE RIBADENEYRA, Antonio de (fl. 16th century). Historia general de la Yndia Oriental. Los descubrimientos, y conquistas que han hecho las Armas de Portugal en el Brasil y en otras partes de Africa y de la Asia. Valladolid: Luis Sanchez, 1603.

First edition of a rare and important history focused on Portuguese expeditions in Asia and the Americas, including a description of Christopher Columbus. By the end of the 16th-century, most of the early printed documentation of Columbus's voyages was already out of circulation, making chronicles the main source of information on his important expeditions. This volume unites the histories of both Spanish and Portuguese exploration from the previous century, which had opened up not only the Americas, but Africa and the East Indies to European trade. Sabin 76188: "An account of the discoveries of Christopher Columbus is given on pages 25, 26; and the Portuguese conquest and explorations are related on pages 57-59, 688-705;" Alden 603/100; Palau 293611 ('obra importante'); Medina (BHA) 488 (devoting 8 pages to this work); Borba de Moraes p.764-5.

Folio (280 x 190mm). Engraved title page by Juan Baptista Morales and 2 large engraved illustrations in text (title just shaved, some leaves browned, some small repairs in blank margins, in one case just touching edge of text, some spotting at end). Modern limp vellum to style. Provenance: occasional marginalia, corrections, and readers marks in several hands, in both Spanish and French – Philippe Desportes, 1546-1606, French poet (inscription on title).