China and the Philippines
Fernández de Navarrete, 1676

FERNÁNDEZ DE NAVARRETE, Domingo (c.1610-1689). Tratados históricos, políticos, éthicos, y religiosos de la monarchía de China. Madrid: Juan García Infanzón for Florian Anisson, 1676.

First edition of the most comprehensive Spanish account of China and the Philippines. “A Spanish Dominican missionary who spent the years 1658-1669 in China, Navarrete’s work is particularly important in assessing the rivalry of the Dominicans and Franciscans with the Jesuits that led to the expulsion of all Christian missionary denominations from China” (Hill). Fernández describes in detail his journey across Mexico and voyage to Asia on the annual Manila galleon. A second volume was meant to be published in 1679, but was suppressed by the Inquisition and almost totally destroyed. Hill 582.

Folio (279 x 200mm). Title printed in red and black. Title with ornamental border, woodcut device on title, engraved armorial on dedication, woodcut devices and initials (title repaired at edges affecting printed area, small repairs to first few leaves, some headlines and marginalia shaved, some staining). 19th-century sheep, spine flat, morocco title label. Provenance: ownership inscription dated 1768 – Don A. Canovas del Castillo (1828-1897, Prime Minister of Spain; armorial bookplate) – S. Perez Junquera (bookseller, label).