San Román de Ribadeneyra, Antonio de.

first edition, folio (278 x 190mm.), engraved title and 2 illustrations in text (at pp.225 and 596), colophon leaf at end, modern red morocco, spine gilt, red edges

Henry ?Goche, near contemporary signature on verso of title

Alden 603/100; Palau 293611 ('obra importante'); Medina (BHA) 488 (devoting 8 pages to this work); Sabin 76188; Borba de Moraes p.764-5

good condition
"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."

a rare and important work on portuguese exploration and colonisation, principally of Brazil, but also of Angola, the Persian Gulf, East Africa, India, Malacca, China and Japan.

San Roman's Historia was much esteemed by his contemporaries - Estácio do Amaral called it "moderna, muyto curiosa" - and it continues to be held in high regard, for, as Lach (3, p.322) remarks, it is a "genuine history based on the best printed sources available in Europe". Especially important is the list of authorities (including Marco Polo, Galvao, and Alvares on Ethiopia) consulted by San Roman, which provides the modern scholar with an invaluable guide to the sources of knowledge of the eastern world available in Europe at the beginning of the seventeenth century.

San Roman writes about the Portuguese in Brazil; from its discovery by Pedro Alvarez Cabral, the subsequent colonisation, the establishment of the Jesuit missions, and concludes with the governorship Duarte de Acosta. He narrates in chronological order the history of Portuguese discoveries and settlements in Africa, Arabia, Persia, India, Malacca and the Spice Islands. Particularly interesting is his description of the interaction of the Portuguese in both war and peace with the Turkish Empire, Ethiopia, China, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and especially Japan, dealing at length with the attempts of the Jesuits to evangelise the country. There is also a description of the New World.

"copies in good condition and containing the engraved frontispiece [title] are rare" (Borba de Moraes, p.765, quoting Salva 3396).