ALVARES, Francisco. Historiale Description de l'Ethiopie, Antwerp: Christopher Plantin, 1558, small 8°, woodcut plans in text (lacking c6-d2 and one of 3 blanks at end, H2-3 and v3 torn with loss, several clean tears, title browned and stained), contemporary calf (restored). [Sorgeloos 6; Voet 53A]

Details

ALVARES, Francisco. Historiale Description de l'Ethiopie, Antwerp: Christopher Plantin, 1558, small 8°, woodcut plans in text (lacking c6-d2 and one of 3 blanks at end, H2-3 and v3 torn with loss, several clean tears, title browned and stained), contemporary calf (restored). [Sorgeloos 6; Voet 53A]

Lot Essay

"Francisco Alvarez was the almoner of King Manuel I of Portugal and a member of the Portuguese embassy which landed in Ethiopia in 1520. Alvarez lived thee until 1527 and returned to Portugal. His relation was the first good description of that country ... [and] had a great influence because it destroyed an old myth: the legend of Prester John" (Sorgeloos).

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