Martyr, Peter

Estimate

5,000 - 7,000 USD

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Description

De rebus oceanicis et novo orbe, decades tres ... Cologne: Apud Gervinum Calenium & Haeredes Quentelios, 1574
paper, ink, vellum

8vo (6 1/8 x 4 ins.; 160 x 100 mm). Decorative woodcut initials. Faint marginal damp stain to a few signatures. Early vellum, rebacked at an early date, manuscript title on spine.

Literature

Beinecke Lesser Antilles Collection 2; Bell A214; JCB (3)I:253; European Americana 574/1; Medina 235; Sabin 1558.

Catalogue Note

The collected Peter Martyr: the foremost chronicler of the New World in its earliest period, including all of his most important texts on New World discovery.

An important edition, besides all of the chronicles Martyr wrote as official historian of the Indies from 1511 to 1534, it adds two important works: Martyr's 1521 Basel letter, which contains the text of the lost first Cortés letter describing his initial landing and forays into Mexico; and Damiao de Goes' work, originally published in 1544. One of the foundation work of New World history.