The History of the Indies
López de Gomara, 1569
LÓPEZ DE GOMARA, Francisco (1511-1564). Histoire generale des Indes Occidentales & terres neuves. Paris: Bernard Turrisan, 1569.

First French translation of López de Gomara’s classic text on the Spanish conquest of the Americas, first published in Spanish in 1553. The author was one of the earliest and ablest of the Spanish historians of the New World. In 1540 he was the chaplain and secretary of Cortez, a position which gave him access to many documents that have since disappeared. This unparalleled access makes López de Gomara's history one of the richest of the early colonial period. According to JCB Library, this Turrisan edition is the same setting of type as the edition first printed by Sonnius in 1568; Sonnius republished the work in 1569. Alden & Landis 569/17; JCB I:239; Sabin 27746.

Octavo (164 x 100mm). Early 19th century paneled blue morocco signed by François Bozérian le jeune (1765-1826), gilt rules and ornaments on boards, spine and turn-ins, all edges gilt (slight wear on lower spine and corners).