MARTYR D’ANGHIERA, Peter (1457-1526). EDEN, Richard (c.1520-1576), translator. WILLES, Richard (fl.1558–1577), editor. The History of Travayle in the West and East Indies, and other countreys lying eyther way, towards the fruitfull and ryche Moluccas. As Muscovia, Persia, Arabia, Syria, Fgypte, Ethiopia, Guinea, China in Cathayo, and Giapan: With a discourse of the Northwest passage Gathered. London: Richard Jugge, 1577.

The very rare second and best edition of Richard Eden’s translation of Martyr's “history.” The first edition by Willes of the first collection of voyages in English—of inestimable importance in igniting Tudor exploration and shaping England’s global ambitions.

Richard Eden’s first translation was published in 1555. This 1577 edition newly contains:
· Martin Frobisher’s search for the Northwest Passage, by Richard Willes, ff. 230-236;
· Pereira’s description of China (the first comprehensive account of China in English), by Willes, ff. 237-251
· The first account of Japan in English, from the notices of Acosta and Maffei, by Willes, ff. 251-260
· Voyages to Persia by London merchants, ff. 321-336
· Varthema’s travels to the Middle East and India, translated by Eden, ff. 354-421
· Abridgements of Martyr’s Decades 5 through 8, particularly Cortes’s conquest of Mexico [by Willes], ff. 457-466.

In 1492 Martyr was at the court of Ferdinand and Isabella, and Chronicler of the State Council for the Indies. As such, he had access to original travel documents and was an acquaintance of Columbus, Vespucci, da Gama and Magellan. The first English edition by Richard Eden, London, 1555 contained Martyr's Decades I-III only. It was the first work to advocate for English colonization in the Americas and to include an account of Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe in English. The first complete English edition with all eight Decades was not published until 1612. Alden & Landis 577/2; Church 119; Cordier Japonica 71; ESTC S122069; Howgego M65; Sabin 1562.

Octavo (183 x 130mm). Printed in black letter, Dedication to the Countess of Bedford, woodcut of the South Pole on f.436v, "Speciall advises" and Table at end, woodcut illustrated initials. (Title-page worn at edges and lower left corner creased and starting to detach; light dampstain at beginning, heavier on B-C gatherings; a small marginal wormhole to first 5 and last 2 leaves.) 17th/18th-century blind-ruled calf (rebacked at an early date, overall rubbing, endpapers worn). Provenance: Thomas Pennant, 1726-1798, Welsh naturalist and travel writer (armorial bookplate); navy blue chemise and morocco clamshell box.