Descrizione

Early printing, the first was Salamanca 1589. 8vo (16 x 10.5 cm), very handsomely bound in 18th century blind tooled calf, the covers elaborately tooled in blind, with multiple triple ruled filleted rules interlocking and sectioned surrounding an elaborate roll tooled inner frame, the inner panel with blind tooled corner pieces and various decorative tooling, the spine with raised bands over cords, green morocco lettering label gilt, original endleaves. 8 unnumbered leaves, 581, 1 unnumbered leaf (blank), with woodcut vignette to the title. A very handsome and pleasing copy, very well preserved with minimal wear.

Edizione: an important work. "this is one of the most celebrated early works on america. it is especially important for its particulars concerning the state of south america at that time, and the early history of the indians of peru and mexico" (cox ii, 255). "acosta ws one of the first europeans to provides a detailed image of the physical and human geography of latin america.he may, indeed, be called the first of the true americanists" (dsb i, 48).<br> acosta was born in medina del campo in spain, about twenty-four miles from valladolid, in old castile, on the left bank of the swampy river zapardiel, and overlooked by the old castle of la mota. the acosta brothers were fellow townsmen of the conquistador bernal diaz, who told the story of the spanish conquest of mexico. acosta was of converso background. in 1553, at the age of thirteen, acosta became a novice in the order at medina del campo. he was a lecturer in theology at ocana, and in april 1569, he was sent to lima, peru, where the jesuits had been established in the proceeding year. <br> in 1570, along with other jesuits, he landed at panama and from there proceeded to peru where he served for some time. acosta founded several colleges including arequipa, potosí, chuquisaca, panama and la paz, even when met with considerable opposition from the viceroy toledo. his official duties obliged him to investigate personally an extensive range of territory, so that he acquired a practical knowledge of the vast province, and of its aboriginal inhabitants. at the 1582 session of the third council of lima, father acosta took on the role of historian. he delivered an eloquent and learned oration at its last sitting on october 18, 1583. <br> shortly after the third council of lima, he packed all his manuscripts, the literary labors of fifteen years, and commenced his voyage to mexico. acosta landed at the port of huatulco, at the western end of the gulf of tehuantepec, in the oaxaca province, then journeyed by land to mexico city, where he resided in 1586. he had opportunities of which he diligently availed himself for collecting information touching the civilization and religion of the aztecs and natural products of this country.<br> acosta had been called to spain by the king in 1585, prior to being detained in mexico. he sailed home to spain in the fleet of 1587, which contained a precious cargo, including twelve chests of gold, 11,000,000 pieces of silver, and two chests of emeralds, in addition to loads of ginger, sarsaparilla, brazil wood and animal hides. in spain he filled the chair of theology at the roman college in 1594, head of the jesuits college at valladolid, as well as other important positions. at the time of his death in his 60th year, he was rector of the college at salamanca.