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ACOSTA, Jose de.
The Naturall and Morall Historie of the East and West Indies.
Intreating the remarkeable things of Heaven, of the Elements, Metalls, Plants and Beasts which are proper to that Country: Together with the Manners, Ceremonies, Lawes, Governements, and Warres of the Indians. Written in Spanish …, and translated into English by E.G. [Edward Grimeston?]
Publisher: London: Val. Sims for Edward Blount and William Apsley, 1604
Stock code: 67334
Price: £14,000 Currency Conversion
First edition in English. "The most convincing, detailed, and reliable account of the riches and new things of America" (Hill). Acosta's De Natura Novi Orbis was first published in Salamanca in 1588, and expanded in 1590 under the title Historia Natural y Moral de las Indias. Based on his experiences during 17 years as a Jesuit missionary in the Americas, this was one of the first works that "treated philosophically of America and its productions" (Sabin). Acosta's official duties "obliged him to personally investigate a very extensive range of territory, providing him with practical knowledge of the province and of its aboriginal inhabitants …In addition to being an accomplished linguist, Acosta was one of the first scholars to formulate a systemic theory of anthropology … anticipating later theories of social evolution" (Howgego). Referring to the present edition, Thomas Streeter remarks on Acosta's provision of "great detail in his descriptions of sailing directions, mineral wealth, trading commodities, Indian history &c. Consequently his work operated more strongly than any other in opening the eyes of the rest of Europe to the great wealth that Spain was drawing from America." This copy bound with the rare first and final blanks.
Small quarto (184 × 128 mm). Later sprinkled calf, neatly rebacked to style, vermillion morocco label to the spine, raised bands, double gilt rules to the compartments, double fillet gilt panel to the boards, edges sprinkled red. Woodcut head- and tailpieces, and initials. Slightly rubbed, craquelure at the edges of the boards, light toning, but internally clean, a very good copy.
