AN ECLECTIC LIBRARY.

The Age of Exploration.

Medieval Europeans’ Travels to the East.

The Book of Ser Marco Polo, The Venetian, Concerning the Kingdoms and Marvels of the East. Newly translated and edited, with notes. By Colonel Henry Yule. London: John Murray, 1871.

Vol. I.

Vol. II.

Cathay and the Way Thither: Being a collection of medieval notices of China translated and edited by Colonel Sir Henry Yule. New edition, revised throughout in the light of recent discoveries by Henri Cordier. London: Hakluyt Society, 1894.

Vol. I. Preliminary Essay on the intercourse between China and the Western nations previous to the discovery of the Cape route.

Vol. II. Odoric of Pordenone,

Vol. III. Missionary Friars—Rashíduddín—Pegolotti—Marignolli.

Vol. IV. Ibn Batuta—Benedict Goës—Index.

India in the Fifteenth Century. Being a collection of narratives of voyages to India, in the century preceding the Portuguese discovery of the Cape of Good Hope; from Latin, Persian, Russian, and Italian sources, now first translated into English. Edited, with an introduction, by R. H. Major. London: Hakluyt Society, 1857.

Europeans in America Before Columbus.

Les trois mondes. Par le Seigneur de la Popelliniere. A Paris, A l’Olivier de Pierre l’Huillier, rue S. Iaques, 1582. —The author believes that les ancients ont autant voyagé, & descouvert les mesmes terres que nous (“the ancients explored as much as we have, and discovered the same lands”).
Another copy, bearing the same printer’s device and the same date, but set in completely different type; the librarian notes “numerous errors in pagination.” Is it a pirated edition? Or is the other the pirated edition?

The Northmen, Columbus and Cabot. The Voyages of the Northmen edited by Julius R. Olson. The Voyages of Columbus and of Cabot edited by Edward Gaylord Bourne. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1906. —The primary original sources for their voyages of discovery.

The Discovery of America by the Northmen in the Tenth Century. Comprising translations of all the most important original narratives of this event; together with a critical examination of their authenticity; to which is added, an examination of the comparative merits of the Northmen and Columbus. By Joshua Toulmin Smith. London: William S. Orr & Co., 1842.

Asahel Davis’ famous lecture. The former Chaplain of the Senate seems to have made a career out of this one lecture, which appears to have been fantastically popular, and was printed in edition after edition. It is hard to tell whether editions in places like Troy and Buffalo were authorized or merely opportunistic; it is quite possible that Mr. Davis himself had them printed as he took his lecture on the road.

A Lecture on the Discovery of America by the Northmen Five Hundred Years Before Columbus, delivered in New-York and in the Other Cities of the State. Also in some of the first seminaries. By A. Davis. Third edition. New-York: Samuel Coleman, 1839.
Fourth edition, with additions, 1839.
Fifth edition, with improvements, 1840.

Discovery of New-England by the Northmen Five Hundred Years Before Columbus, with an introduction on the antiquities of America and on the first inhabitants of Central America. With Important Additions. A lecture, delivered in New York, Washington, Boston, and other cities. Also in some of the first literary institutions of the Union. By A. Davis. Twelfth Edition. Boston: Dutton and Wentworth’s Print, 1844.
Thirteenth edition, from twelfth Boston edition. Troy, N. Y.: N. Tuttle, 1845.
Sixteenth edition, from the twelfth Boston edition. Buffalo: Clapp & M’Credie’s Power Press, 1846.

Antiquities of America, the First Inhabitants of Central America, and the Discovery of New-England, by the Northmen, Five Hundred Years Before Columbus. Lectures delivered in New-York, Washington, Boston, and other cities. The first has been given eighteen times in the most distinguished Institutions of New-York and Brooklyn the past year. By A. Davis. 19th edition, with important additions. New-York: Daniel Adee, 1847.

The Voyages of the Venetian Brothers, Niccolò & Antonio Zeno, to the Northern Seas, in the XIVth Century, comprising the last known accounts of the lost colony of Greenland; and of the Northmen in America before Columbus. Translated and edited, with notes and an introduction, by Richard Henry Major, F.S.A., &c. New York: Burt Franklin, [no date.] “Originally published by the Hakluyt Society [in 1873]—reprinted by permission.” —This account is commonly regarded as either a fraud or a muddle, but here it is; you may form your own judgment.

Columbus.

See also The Northmen, Columbus and Cabot, above.

The Spanish Letter of Columbus to Luis de Sant’ Angel, Escribo de Racion of the Kingdom of Aragon. Repreinted in facsimile, and translated from the unique copy of the original edition (printed by Johann Rosenbach at Barcelona early in April 1493). Lately in the possession of Bernard Quaritch, London, 15 Piccadilly, 1893.

The Latin Letter of Columbus printed in 1493 and announcing the discovery of America. Reproduced in facsimile, with a preface. London: Bernard Quaritch, 1893.

Las Casas.

Brevissima relacion de la destruycion de las Indias : colegida por el Obispo don fray Bartolome de las Casas, o Casaus de la orden de Sancto Domingo. Año 1552.

The Spanish Colonie, or Brief Chronicle of the Acts and gestes of the Spaniardes in the West Indies, called the newe World, for the space of xl. yeeres: written in the Castilian tongue by the reverend Bishop Bartholomew de las Casas or Casaus, A Friar of the order of S. Dominicke. And nowe first translated into english, by M. M. S. Imprinted at London for William Brome. 1583. —The earliest translation of the Brevissima relacion above. Printed in good legible blackletter.

Tyrannies et cruautez des Espagnols perpetrees es Indes Occidentales, qu’on dit le nouueau monde: Brievement descrites en langue Castillane, par l’Evesque Don Frere Barthelemy de las Casas ou Casaus, Espagnol de l’ordre de saincte Domonique, fidelement traduites par Iaques de Miggrode. A Paris, Par Guillaume Iulien, à l’enseigne de l’Amitié, pres le college de Cambray. 1592.

An Account of the First Voyages and Discoveries Made by the Spaniards in America. Containing the most exact relation hitherto publish'd, of their unparallel'd cruelties on the Indians, in the destruction of above forty millions of people. With the propositions offer’d to the King of Spain, to prevent the further ruin of the West-Indies. By Don Bartholomew de las Casas, Bishop of Chiapa, who was an eye-witness to their Cruelties. Illustrated with cuts. To which is added, The Art of Travelling, shewing how a man may dispose his Travels to the best advantage. London, 1699. —Translated from the French translation. “This Bishop writes with such an Air of Honesty, Sincerity, and Charity, as would very well have become one of a better Religion than that in which he had the unhappiness to be educated,” says the preface.

Miscellaneous.

A treatyse of the newe India, with other new founde landes and ilandes, aswell eastwarde as westwarde, as they are knowen and found in these oure dayes, after the descripcion of Sebastian Munster in his boke of vniuersall cosmographie: wherin the diligent reader may see the good successe and rewarde of noble and honeste enterpryses, by the which not only worldly ryches are obtayned, but also God is glorified, & the Christian fayth enlarged. Translated out of Latin into Englishe. By Rycharde Eden. Imprinted at London, in Lombarde strete, By Edward Sutton. 1553. —A handwritten note on the flyleaf: “Eccessively Rare. Only one other copy is known—which is in the British Museum.” Printed in a large and legible blackletter.

The first booke of the historie of the discouerie and conquest of the East Indias, enterprised by the Portingales, in their daungerous nauigations, in the time of King Don Iohn, the second of that name. Which Historie conteineth much varietie of matter, very profitable for all navigators, and not unpleasant to the Readers. Set foorth in the Portingale language, by Hernan Lopes de Castaneda. And now translated into English, by N. L. Gentleman. Imprinted at London by Thomas East, dwelling betweene Paules Wharfe and Baynards Castle, 1582.

India in the Fifteenth Century. Being a collection of narratives of voyages to India, in the century preceding the Portuguese discovery of the Cape of Good Hope; from Latin, Persian, Russian, and Italian sources, now first translated into English. Edited, with an introduction, by R. H. Major. London: Hakluyt Society, 1857.

Tohfut-il-Mujahideen, an historical work in the Arabic language. Translated into English by Lieut. M. J. Rowlandson. London: Oriental Translation Fund, 1833. —A history of the Portuguese arrival in India as told by their Muslim enemies.

The Letters of Amerigo Vespucci and other documents illustrative of his career. London: Hakluyt Society, 1894.

Theodor de Bry’s America. —A series of splendid folios of various explorers’ accounts illustrated and published by the great Theodor de Bry.

1. A briefe and true report of the new found land of Virginia, of the commodities and of the nature and manners of the naturall inhabitants. Discouered by the English colony there seated by Sir Richard Greinuile knight in the yeere 1585. Which remained vnder the gouernment of twelue monethes, at the speciall charge and direction of the honourable Sir Walter Raleigh Knight lord Warden of the stanneries who therein hath beene fauoured and authorised by her maiestie and her letters patents: This fore book is made in English by Thomas Hariot servant to the abovenamed Sir Walter, a member of the Colony, and there imployed in discovering. Francoforti ad Moenum: Typis Ioannis Wecheli, sumptibus very Theodori de Bry anno 1590.
In Latin.

2. Brevis narratio eorum quae in Florida Americae provincia Gallis acciderunt, secunda in illam nauigatione, duce Renato de Laudo[n]niere classis praefecto anno M D LXIIII. Quae est secunda pars Americae. Additae figurae et incolarum eicones ibidem ad vivu[m] espressae brevis item declaratio religionis, rituum, vivendique ratione ipsorum. Auctore Iacobo le Moyne, cui cognomen de Morgues, Laudonnierum. Francoforti ad Moenum: Typis Ioannis Wecheli, Sumptibus vero Theodori de Bry anno 1591.
A German version with colored engravings.

3. Americae tertia pars Memorabile[m] provinciae Brasiliae historiam contine[n]s, Germanico primùm sermone scriptam à Ioa[n]ne Stadio Hombergensi Hesso, nunc autem Latinitate donatam à Teucrio Annaeo Priuato Colchanthe Po: & Med: addita est narratio profectionis Ioannis Lerij in eamdem provinciam, qua[m] ille initio Gallicè conscripsit, postea verò Latinam fecit. His accessit descriptio morum & ferocitatis incolarum illius regionis, atque colloquium ipsorum idiomate conscriptum. Theodor de Bry, 1592.
A copy with colored engravings.
A German version with colored engravings.

A later edition: Historiae antipodum, siue Novi orbis, qui vulgo Americae, & Indiae Occidentalis nomine vsurpatur, pars tertia, Complectens admirandam cum ipsius terrae Brasiliae, tum incolarum eius barbarorum & antropophagorum historiam libris tribus descriptam: Quorum

I. Primo continetur narratio profectionis Ioannis Stadij Hessi in Brasiliam, qui à barbaris interceptus, nouemque menses inter eos versatus est,

II. Diegesis historica naturam coeli solique Brasiliensis, vt & auiam, ferarum, piscium, arborum item caeterorumq[ue] vegetabilium illius terrae experimens.

III. Luculientissima descriptio itineris Iohannis Lerij Burgundi, quod in easdem terras suscepit.

nunc ab infinitis mendis repurgata & in concinniorem ordinem redacta, studio Jo. Ludovici Gottofridi. Francofurti, Sumptibus matthaei Meriani, Anno 1630.

4. Americae pars qvarta, siue, Insignis & admiranda historia de reperta primùm Occidentali India à Christophoro Columbo anno M. CCCCXCII scripta ab Hieronymo Bezono Mediolanense, etc. Theodor de Bry, 1694.
Another copy.

5. Americae pars quinta. Nobilis & admiratione plena Hieronymi Bezoni mediolanensis secundae sectionis Hispanorum, tum in Nigrittas servos suos, tum in Indos crudelitatem, Gallorumque piratarum de Hispanis toties reportata spolia; Adventum item Hispanorum in Novam Indiae continentis Hispaniam, eorumque contra  incolas eius regionis saevitam explicans. Addita ad singula fere Capita scholia, in quibus res Indiae luculenter exponuntur. Theodor de Bry, 1595.
A copy with colored engravings.

6. Americae pars sexta, siue, Historiæ ab Hieronymo Benzono Mediolanense scriptæ, sectio tertia, res non minus nobiles & admiratione plenas continens, quàm præcedentes duæ. In hac enim reperies, qua ratione Hispani opulentissimas illas Peruäni regni prouincias occuparint, capto Rege Atabaliba: deinde orta inter ipsos Hispanos in eo regno ciuilia bella. Additus est breuis de fortunatis insulis commentariolus in duo capita distinctus : item additiones ad singula capita historiam illustrantes : accesit Perväni regni chorographica tabula ... : omnia elegantibus figuris in æs incisis expressa a Theodoro de Bry, 1596.
Another copy.

7. America pars VII. Verissima et iucundissima descriptio praeciparum quarundam Indiae regionem & insularum, quae quidem nullis ante haec tempora visae cognitaeque, iam primum ab Ulric Fabro Straubingensi, multo eum periculo inventae & ab eodem summa diligentia consignaatae fuerunt, ex germanico in latinum sermonem vonversa autore M. Gotardo Artus Dantiscano. Illustrata verò pulcherrimis imaginibus, & in lucem emissa, studio & opera Theodorici de Bry piae memoriae, relictae viduae & filiorum. Anno Christi, 1599.

As mentioned on the title page of No. 7 above, Theodor de Bry died, but the series was continued by his widow and sons.

8. Americae pars VIII. Continens primo, Descriptionem trium itinerum nobilissimi et fortissimi equitis Francisci Draken, qui peragrato primum vniuerso terrarum orbe, postea cum nobilissimo equite Iohanne Hauckens, ad expugnandum ciuitatem Panama, in Indiam nauigauit, vbi vitam suam ambo finierunt. Secundo, iter noblissimi equitis Thomae Candisch, qui duorum ferè annorum spacio, 13000. Anglicana miliaria in mari confecit, vbi describuntur quoque omnia quae in hoc itinere ipsi acciderunt & visa sunt. Tertio, duo itinera, nobilissimi & fortissimi domini Gualtheri Ralegh equitis & designati gubernatoris regij in Anglia praesidij, nec non fortissimi capitanei Laurentii Keyms. Quibus itineribus describitur auriferum et potentissimum regnum Guiana, ad septentrionem fluminis Orenoque, aliàs Oreciliana dicti, situm, cum metropoli eius Manoa & Macuieguarai, aliisq[ue] finitimis regionibus & fluuis, mereibus item praestantissimis, & mercatura, quae in regno hoc exercetur. Figuris & imaginibus artificiose illustrata & in lucem emissam opera & sumptibus Theodorici de Bry P. M. relictae Viduae & filiorum. 1599.

9. Americae nona & postrema pars. Qua de ratione elementorum: De novi orbis natura: de huius incolarum superstitiosis cultibus: deq[ue] forma politicae ac Republ. ipsorum copiosè pertractatur: catalogo regum Mexicanorum omnium, à primo usq[ue] ad vltimum Motec̦umam II. addito: cui etiam ritus eorum coronationis, ac sepulturae annectitur, cum enumeratione bellorum, quae mutuò Indi gesserunt. His accessit designatio illius navigationis, quam 5. naues Hollandicae anno 1598. per Fretum Magellanum in Moluccanas insulas tentarunt: quomodo nimirum oborta tempestate capitaneus Sebalt de Weert à caeteris nauibus dispulsus, postquam plurimis mensibus in freto infinitis aerumnis miserè iactatus fuisset, tandem infectare post biennium An[no] 1600. domum reuersus sit. Addita est tertio nauigatio recens, quam 4. nauium praefectus Olevier à Noort proximè suscepit: qui Freto Magellanico classe transmisso, triennij spatio vniuersum terrae orbem seu globum mira navigationis forte obiuit: annexis illis, quae in itinere isto singularia ac memorabiliora notata sunt. Francof. Apud Matth. Beckerum. 1602.

10. Americae pars decima: quae continentur,

I. Duae navigationes Dn. Americi Vesputii, sub auspiciis Castellani regis, Ferdinandi susceptae.

II. Solida narratio de moderno provinciae Virginiae statu, qua ratione tandem pax cum Indianis coaluerit, ac castella aliquot ad regionis praesidium ab Anglis extructa fuerint; additâ historiâ lectu jucundissimâ, quomodo Pokahuntas, regis Virginiae Powhatani filia, primori cuidam Anglo nupserit; authore Raphe Hamor Virginiae secretario.

III. Vera descriptio Novae Angliae, quae Americae pars ad septentrionalem Indiam spectat, à capitaneo Johanne Schmidt, equite atque admirali delineata: cui accessit discursus, quomodo in secunda navigatione à Gallis captus, anno 1616. demum liberatus fuerit.

Omnia nunc primùm in lucem edita, atque eleganter in aes incisis iconibus illustrata, sumptibus ac studio Johann-Theodori de Bry. Oppenheimii: Typis Hieronymi Galleri. 1619.

12. Novi Orbis pars duodecima. Sive Descriptio Indiae Occidentalis, auctore Antonio de Herrera. Francofurti, Suptibus Haeredum Iohan. Theodori de Bry, 1624.

The Discoverie of the Large, Rich, and Bewtiful Empyre of Guiana, with a relation of the great and golden citie of Manoa (which the Spanyards call El Dorado) and of the provinces of Emeria, Arromaia, Amapaia, and other countries...performed in the yeare 1595. by Sir W. Ralegh knight, captaine of her Maiesties Guard. Imprinted at London by Robert Robinson, 1596. —Neatly printed with uncommonly good type.

A Relation of the Second Voyage to Guiana. Perfourmed and written in the yeare 1596 by Lawrence Keymis, Gent. London: Thomas Dawson, 1597.

The Pleasant Historie of the Conquest of the West India, now called New Spaine. Atchieved by the most woorthie prince Hernando Cortes, Marques of the Valley of Huaxacac, most delectable to reade.  Translated out of the Spanish tongue, by T. N. Ano. 1578. London: Thomas Creede. —In Creede’s usual blackletter.

A Briefe and true Relation of the Discouerie of the North part of Virginia; being a most pleasant, fruitfull and commodious soile: Made this present yeere 1602, by captaine Bartholomew Gosnold, captaine Bartholowmew Gilbert, and diuers other gentlemen their associats, by the permission of the honourable knight, Sir Walter Ralegh, &c. Written by M. Iohn Brereton one of the voyage. Whereunto is annexed a Treatise, containing important inducements for the planting in those parts, and finding a passage that way to the South sea, and China, Written by M. Edward Hayes, a gentleman long since imploied in the like action. Londini, Impensis Geor. Bishop. 1602.
Second edition in the same year, “With divers instructions of speciall moment newly added in this second impression.”

Des Sauvages, ou, Voyage de Samuel Champlain, de Brouage, fait en la France nouvelle, l'an mil six cens trois. A Paris, Chez Claude de Monstroeil. [1603.]

Capt. John Smith, of Willoughby by Alford, Lincolnshire; President of Virginia, and Admiral of New England. Works. 1608–1631. Edited by Edward Arber. Brimingham: English Scholar’s Library, 1884. —984 pages, plus cxxxvi of introductory material.

Histoire de la Nouvelle France. Contenant les navigations, découvertes, & habitations faites par les François és Indes Occidentales & Nouvelle-France souz l’avoeu & authoruté de noz Rois Tres Chrétiens, & les diverses fortunes d’iceux en l’execution de ces choses, depuis cent ans jusques à hui. Par Marc Lescarbot. A Paris: Chez Iean Milot. 1609. —Includes also Lescarbot’s book of poems written in New France, Les Muses de la Nouvelle France.

America: being the latest, and most accurate description of the New World; containing the original of the inhabitants, and the remarkable voyages thither. The conquest of the vast empires of Mexico and Peru, and other large provinces and territories, with the several European plantations in those parts. Also their cities, fortresses, towns, temples, mountains, and rivers. Their habits, customs, manners, and religions. Their plants, beasts, birds, and serpents. With an appendix containing, besides several other considerable additions, a brief survey of what hath been discover’d of the unknown south-land and the Arctick region. Collected from the most Authentick Authors, etc., by John Ogilby Esq., His Majesty’s Cosmographer, Geographick Printer, and master of the Revels to the Kingdom of Ireland. London: Printed by the Author, and are to be had at his House in White Fryers, 1671.