Eusebius, Chronicon, Paris, Estienne, 1512, later marbled sheep

Eusebius Caesariensis

Chronicon [translated by St Jerome]. [Paris]: Henri Estienne, (1512)

4to (197 x 145mm.), title within woodcut border, printed throughout in red and black, eighteenth-century marbled sheep, title somewhat crudely repaired and strengthened affecting lower border, later label at foot of spine

“THE FIRST ACCOUNT OF THE CANADIAN INDIAN” (Lande). The entry for 1509 (folio 172 verso) describes the arrival in France of seven indigenous men from Newfoundland, brought by Thomas Aubert of the Jean Angot. The men are described as having tattoos and long black hair. The passage goes on to describe their weaponry, diet, clothes and so on.

LITERATURE

Harisse 71; Mortimer, Harvard French 217 (later edition); Lande S733; Renouard, Estienne, pp.12-13; Sabin 23114; Streeter 1:91; USTC 143908