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LINSCHOTEN, Jan Huygen van (1563-1633). Itinerario

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Amsterdam: Cornelis Claesz, 1596-95-96. 3 parts in one volume, folio (296 x 185 mm). Engraved title vignettes, that to part 3 with the twin-hemisphere world map by Jodocus Hondius (Shirley 182), full-page engraved portrait of the author, 6 engraved folding maps by Arnold and Hendrik van Langren, including the twin hemisphere world map by Jean Baptist Vrient (Shirley 192), 36 double-page or folding plates, all engraved after Linschoten by Johann and Baptiste van Deutecum; all engravings with full near-contemporary hand-coloring in wash and occasional gouache, the title vignettes, portrait and one or two plates highlighted in gold. Part 3 is in the first state (cf. Church), the collation differing slightly from Church, having two quires at end G4 and sss4 instead of Church's G8 (this agrees with copies at NYPL); part 3 is bound before part 2, but with the register (quire sss4 ) in its appropriate place at the end. 17th century vellum over pasteboard with yapp edges, recased, sides gold-stamped and roll-tooled to a center and corner-piece design, smooth spine gilt, pair of green silk ties, gilt edges; modern folding linen chemise and half-morocco slipcase. Condition: maps and fold-out plates with occasional slight chipping and some splits at folds, strengthened on versos in places, some minor discoloration to text, occasional oxidation of green pigment; recased, endpapers and guards removed. Provenance: Spanghen, (inscriptions on front flyleaf and first title); Sotheby's New York, 26 June 1998, lot 594. Acquisition: Christie's London, aftersale via William Reese (2001), $151,000. first edition, a splendid copy, evidently intended for presentation, elegantly bound and with full near-contemporary coloring. Linschoten's richly illustrated travel guide was held in such high esteem that for nearly a century copies were given to all ships sailing to India from Holland. This explains the numerous editions and translations and the poor condition of most copies. complete colored copies in fine condition, rarely appear on the market. The Itinerario contains the most comprehensive material on the East and West Indies available at the end of the sixteenth century. Jan Linschoten, himself a celebrated traveler, was in Goa in 1583-1589, and was with Willem Barents on his second voyage to the Kara Sea in 1594-95. Linschoten compiled his accounts from Portuguese and Spanish documents as well as from his personal experience. It is the earliest work to include precise sailing directions to the Indies, and also contains an interesting account of America (part III, pp. 17-82). The world map by Johannes Baptista Vrient is a close copy of Petrus Plancius' 1594 world map. Apart from the larger title, the 1596 map appears superficially the same, but there are minor differences affecting the northern seas, and the pictorial scenes framing the outer borders have been regrouped to greater stylistic effect. The plates include scenes of local customs, plants and animals, city views, and several coastal profiles. The coloring of this copy, particularly for the plates, highlights the beauty of the background landscapes and the drama of the scenes of native life, such as the scene showing a Hindu widow about to throw herself onto her dead husband's pyre. Church 252; JCB I, 343-5; Muller America 2185; Shirley 192 and 182 (Hondius vignette); Sabin 41356; European Americana 596/63-64 (parts 2 & 3); Borba de Moraes pp. 486-87; Wagner Northwest Coast 184.

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