Details
HAWKINS, Richard. The Observations of Sir Richard Hawkins Knight, in his voyage into the South Sea. Anno Domini 1593. London: J. D[awson] for John Jaggard, 1622. 2o (280 x 180 mm). (Title page in facsimile, intermittent light marginal staining, few leaves with loss at corners.) 19th-century half-morocco and marbled boards (rebacked). FIRST EDITION, of the original account of Hawkins' attempt to circumnavigate the globe, for the purpose "to make discovery of all those parts where he should arrive, as well known as unknown, with their longitudes and latitudes, the lying of their coasts, their head-lands, their ports and bays, their cities, towns and peoplings, their manner of government, with the commodities which the countries yielded, and of which they have want and are in necessity."
His trade plans turned to plunder with his attack on Valparaiso, sacking the town and ransoming the ships in the bay. Later that year, with a crew much reduced by illness and death, he encountered a heavily-armed Spanish force ten times his size. The fight lasted three days ending only when the ship was nearly knocked to pieces, Hawkins wounded and the remaining crew blind drunk. He was released in 1602.
"One of the best pictures of Elizabethan sea life that exists" Hill, p. 140; Sabin 30957, STC 12962.
His trade plans turned to plunder with his attack on Valparaiso, sacking the town and ransoming the ships in the bay. Later that year, with a crew much reduced by illness and death, he encountered a heavily-armed Spanish force ten times his size. The fight lasted three days ending only when the ship was nearly knocked to pieces, Hawkins wounded and the remaining crew blind drunk. He was released in 1602.
"One of the best pictures of Elizabethan sea life that exists" Hill, p. 140; Sabin 30957, STC 12962.