Pagan, Blaise François de (1604-1665).

Estimate

1,000 - 1,500 GBP

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Description

An Historical and Geographical description of the Great Country and River of the Amazones in America... with a mapp of the river and its provinces, being that place which Sr Walter Rawleigh intended to conquer and plant, when he made his voyage to Guiana... translated into English by William Hamilton. London: John Starkey, 1661

8vo (163 x 102mm.), [30], 153, [1 (blank)], [6]pp., illustration: double-page engraved map of the Amazon river and surrounding regions, binding: contemporary mottled calf gilt, spine in five compartments with raised bands gilt, a little light spotting, spine rather rubbed and lacking lettering piece

Literature

Wing P162; Sabin 58412; Borba de Moraes p.647

Catalogue Note

first edition in english. with the rare map; according to Sabin the map is almost always missing. Several chapters of this curious work are devoted to descriptions of the natives of the valley of the Amazon. It is suggested that most of the work is composed principally from that of Acuña. It was first published in French, in Paris, 1655; another edition (or issue) has the date of 1656. The Count François de Pagan, engineer and astronomer, distinguished himself in the wars of Italy and Flanders. This is the first and only edition in English. "In the original French edition Pagan recommends that France take possession of the Amazon. In a very interesting 'epistle dedicatory' in this English translation William Hamilton urges the King of England to do the same" (Borba de Moraes).