Venegas, Miguel

Noticia de la California, y de su conquista temporal, y espiritual hasta el tiempo presente.  Sacada de la Historia Manuscrita, Formada en Mexico año de 1739, por el Padre Miguèl Venegas, de la Compañia de Jesus; y Noticias, y Relaciones antiguas, y modernas ....  Madrid: En la Imprenta del la Viuda de Manuel Fernandez, 1757



3 vols, 4to (8 x 5  3/4  in.; 203 x 146 mm).  4 folding maps, the first with a border of 10 engraved vignettes; a few tears at folds of maps in vol. 3 and one map (also vol. 3) with lower blank margin cut off, occasional very minor spotting.  Contemporary limp vellum, spines hand-lettered and with flourishes, two cord ties preserved, overlapping edges; usual wear and soiling, vol. 3 binding partially separated from text block.  Half tan morocco gilt slipcases and chemises. 

Cowan p. 659; Howes 10609; Sabin 98848; Wagner, Spanish Southwest 130; Zamarano Eighty 78

First edition of one of the earliest and most important contributions to the historical literature of California.

"This work is considered the foundation of a library of Californiana.  Although his name does not appear, Padre Andres Marcos Burriel was the editor.  Other than Cabrera, Burriel was the first writer whose sound sense allowed him to reject the apocryphal voyages as unworthy of credit, restricting northern geography, which comprises one of the volumes, to actual discoveries, and to correctly define in print the peninsula of California and the regions of the Colorado and Gila as far as known.  The first map contains a border of ten vignettes, within which is a map of California.  These vignettes show inhabitants and animals of the country, and the martydoms of Padres Carranco and Tamaral .... The maps have historical value and represent surveys made down to 1754 .... The text was supplemented by fresh information, sent home from the missions for that purpose, so that the matter is brought fully down to the date of publication" (Cowan).