.jpg?w=1)
Details
ENCISO, Martín Fernández de (ca 1470-1528). Suma de geographia que trata de todas las partidas y prouincias del mundo: en especial delasindias. Y trata largemente del arte del marear: juntamente con la espera en romance: con el regimiento del sol y del norte: nueuamente hecha. Seville: Jacob Cromberger, 1519.
2o (287 x 200 mm). Large woodcut of a sphere within woodcut border on title, 2 woodcut diagrams. (Lacks final blank, a few short tears neatly mended.) 17th-century Spanish mottled calf, gilt fillet border and central gilt coat-of-arms of the Marqués de Caracena on sides, silk ties (rebacked, old spine laid down, two ties missing). Provenance: Marqués de Caracena (d. 1668, Governor-general of the Netherlands; binding); Sir R. Leicester Harmsworth (his sale, Sotheby's London, May 1, 1950, lot 6931); Harrison D. Horblit (bookplate; his sale part I, Sotheby's London, 11 November 1974, lot 369).
FIRST EDITION. THE FIRST BOOK PRINTED IN SPANISH RELATING TO AMERICA, THE FIRST PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SAILING IN AMERICAN WATERS AND THE FIRST NAVIGATIONAL MANUAL PRINTED IN SPAIN
Martin Fernández de Enciso, born in Seville, was by 1508 living at Santo Domingo, the capital of Hispaniola, where he successfully practiced law and supported sea expeditions including Alonso de Hojeda's expedition in 1509. In 1510 he sailed with two ships to support the settlement of San Sebastián. Vasco Nunez de Balboa participated in this expedition and subsequently became the first European to see the Pacific from its eastern shore. In 1514 Enciso served with Pedro Arias de Avila (known as Pedrairias), the first governor of Castilla de Oro (Panama), and upon his return to Spain he wrote the Suma. The work was intended partly as an aid to pilots, as well as for the instruction of King Charles V. "Using a great variety of both oral and written sources plus his own experience, Encisco compiled a practical book with useful information, especially for pilots. In his description of the natives he gives precise information about the distinct physical characteristics of each tribe as well as their particular attitude towards the Spanish" (Angel Delgado-Gomez, Spanish Historical Writing about the New World 5). "A great hydrographer and explorer, his work is invaluable for the early geographical history of this continent" (Harrisse). The work was a great success and other editions were published in 1530 and 1546. Alden & Landis 519/4; Church 42; Harrisse 97; JCB (3) I:73; Palau 88433; Sabin 22551; Stillwell Science VI:836. Not in Adams.
2
FIRST EDITION. THE FIRST BOOK PRINTED IN SPANISH RELATING TO AMERICA, THE FIRST PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SAILING IN AMERICAN WATERS AND THE FIRST NAVIGATIONAL MANUAL PRINTED IN SPAIN
Martin Fernández de Enciso, born in Seville, was by 1508 living at Santo Domingo, the capital of Hispaniola, where he successfully practiced law and supported sea expeditions including Alonso de Hojeda's expedition in 1509. In 1510 he sailed with two ships to support the settlement of San Sebastián. Vasco Nunez de Balboa participated in this expedition and subsequently became the first European to see the Pacific from its eastern shore. In 1514 Enciso served with Pedro Arias de Avila (known as Pedrairias), the first governor of Castilla de Oro (Panama), and upon his return to Spain he wrote the Suma. The work was intended partly as an aid to pilots, as well as for the instruction of King Charles V. "Using a great variety of both oral and written sources plus his own experience, Encisco compiled a practical book with useful information, especially for pilots. In his description of the natives he gives precise information about the distinct physical characteristics of each tribe as well as their particular attitude towards the Spanish" (Angel Delgado-Gomez, Spanish Historical Writing about the New World 5). "A great hydrographer and explorer, his work is invaluable for the early geographical history of this continent" (Harrisse). The work was a great success and other editions were published in 1530 and 1546. Alden & Landis 519/4; Church 42; Harrisse 97; JCB (3) I:73; Palau 88433; Sabin 22551; Stillwell Science VI:836. Not in Adams.