Premier Voyage Autour du Monde, sur l’Escadre de Magellan, pendant les années 1519,20, 21 et 22 …

Author: Pigafetta, Antonio

Publisher: H.J. Jansen in Paris.

Year: 1801 [1521]

Size: c 19.5 x 12.8 cm, 8vo

Reference: Monglond V, 650; Palau 225.745; Pardo de Tavera 1977 (extensive note); Sabin 62805; Borba de Moraes. 2, p 146; Henze IV, 114; cf. Hill. Coll. 235 (Ital. Ed.)

Description

EXTREMELY RARE. First French edition of a manuscript supposed to be Pigafetta’s (c1491-1531)original travel narrative, discovered by Father Carlo Amoretti in the Ambrosiana in 1800, edited in Italian and also translated by him into French. Pigafetta’s is the only account of Magellan’s tour around the world and is particularly valuable for its early descriptions of the Philippines, Moluccas and the Malay Archipelago. He witnessed Magellan’s death in Mactan in 1521 and was one of only 18 men who completed the circumnavigation and returned to Spain. Partly copied from the original manuscript and including large maps of the travel route, the Philippines & Moluccas, and of part of the Behaim Globe.

Condition

with 9 engraved maps & plates (lacking 1 map provided in facsimile), 4 hand-coloured, 2 folding) slight spotting, slight dampstaining in places, pp 325/6 torn at head affecting a couple of lines but no loss, remains of old prize label on front pastedown, lacking half-title, contemporary half-calf backed marbled boards, spine gilt, rubbed, splits to upper joint, spine chipped at head.