Lot 876
  • 876

[Middleton, Sir Henry]

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description

  • The Last East-Indian Voyage. Containing much varietie of the state of the severall kingdomes where they have traded. London: T. P[urfoot] for Walter Burre, 1606
  • paper
FIRST EDITION, small 4to (176 x 131mm.), A2, B-K4 [76pp.], nineteenth-century crushed green morocco by F. Bedford for H. Stevens, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, gilt edges, title-page washed, tear in one headline without loss of text, one catchword shaved, a little spotted

Provenance

British Museum, sale duplicate 1787, stamp on verso of title; Henry Huth (1815-1878), morocco book label, sale in these rooms 17 November 1911, lot 374; Boies Penrose, bookplate, sale in these rooms 9 November 1971, lot 167

Literature

STC 17869

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

VERY RARE. THE BRITISH MUSEUM-HUTH-PENROSE COPY.

An account of the second voyage of the East India Company, to Bantam and the Moluccas in 1604 led by Henry Middleton (d.1613), whose instructions were to "trade for cloves, nutmegs, mace, cinnamon and raw silk, and to avoid encounters with the Portuguese" (Howgego). The voyage was considered a success, Middleton was knighted and plans were made for the next voyage.

"The most important feature of the book consists of three letters from the kings of Ternate, Tidore, and Bantam... [giving] evidence of England's new strategic position as a potential ally of native people against her European competitors, and with the narrative of the voyage, they confirmed England's opportunity for commercial expansion into islands hitherto in the preserve of the Portuguese and Dutch." (J. Parker Books to Build an Empire, Amsterdam, 1965, pp.176-178)