Heading:
Author: Castanheda, Ferna?o Lopes de
Title: The first booke of the historie of the discouerie and conquest of the East Indias, enterprised by the Portingales, in their daungerous nauigations, in the time of King Don Iohn, the second of that name...
Place Published: London
Publisher:Imprinted by Thomas East
Date Published: 1582
Description:

[6], 164 leaves. A2, A-Tt4. Translated by Nicholas Lichefild. Woodcut decorative initials, including a large historiated initial, featuring a galleon, on leaf 1. (4to) 17.5x12 cm (7x4¾"), 19th century half vellum & marbled boards, spine gilt, morocco lettering piece, page edges stained red. .

Important and rare English edition of this account. Although relating principally to the Portuguese in India, China, and the East Indies (where Lopes de Castanheda lived for twenty years), the work contains interesting particulars of the Portuguese conquest of Brazil. The author spent ten years traveling through Asia (1528-1538) collecting materials for his Historia which eventually reached an eighth book, published posthumously by his sons in 1559. This first book, all that was printed in English, was soon withdrawn from circulation because of the offense it caused the Portuguese. Hill notes its key place in connection with American history for it includes Cabral's discovery of Brazil in 1500 and subsequent voyages to South America. Hill 1035; STC 16806; Streeter sale I:26. Bookplate of Rev. Morgan Dix.

The title continues: "...VVhich historie conteineth much varietie of matter, very profitable for all nauigators, and not vnpleasaunt to the readers. Set foorth in the Portingale language, by Hernan Lopes de Castaneda. And now translated into English, by N.L. Gentleman."

A translation of book 1 of Castanheda's "Historia do descobrimento e conquista da India pelos Portugueses."

This is the variant with the translator's dedication signed "Nicholas Lichefild" rather than "Nicholas Lichefield, Gentleman." And the variant with the first word on Dd1v, "There" rather than "fle?et"

Spine darkened with some rubbing, other minor cover wear; some soiling and aging within, including to title page (which has old ink notations on verso), margins trimmed just shaving some letters of the shoulder notes on occasion; small hole in title page affecting a letter, marginal chip; overall very good.