Lopes de Castanheda, The historie of the discoverie and conquest of the East Indias, London, 1582, later half calf

Fernâo Lopes de Castanheda

[The first booke of the historie of the discoverie and conquest of the East Indias, enterprised by the Portingales, in their daungerous navigations, in the time of King Don John, the second of that name [translated by Nicholas Lichefield]. London: Thomas East, 1582]

8vo (182 x 126mm.), large historiated woodcut initial on B1r, other woodcut initials (replacement initial pasted to Ss1v), woodcut illustration of a ship pasted to end of prologue, later half calf over marbled boards, lacking title-page (supplied in facsimile) and A4 (dedicatory epistle) and final quire T⁴, cut unevenly with some loss of printed marginalia, occasional light soiling, spine torn at head

Most of Castanheda's history chronicles the Portuguese thrust into Asia in the early 16th century, with Castaneda himself spending two decades in the Portuguese colonies in the East. This work is particularly valued for its American content, with chapters 29-31 describing in detail the discovery of Brazil by Cabral in 1500, whilst travelling to the East Indies. 

LITERATURE:

STC 16806

PROVENANCE:

W. Smith, of Bristol, bookseller's label on inside front cover; Edward Dalton, armorial bookplate; Bristol Mirror and General Advertiser, printed label pasted to flyleaf with manuscript note "Dr Dalton, Dunkirk House, nr Nailsworth"; Dr Dalton, Dunkirk House, Minchinhampton, inscription on leaf inserted at end of prelims (followed by another inserted leaf with manuscript verse from Mickle's translation of the Lusiad, starting "Arms and the heroes, who from Lisbon's shore..."; Clifford Baylis, bookplate; by family descent