Maffei (Giovanni). Historiarum Indicarum libri XVI, Cologne, 1589

Sold for £1,800

Maffei (Giovanni Pietro). Historiarum Indicarum libri XVI. Selectarum item, ex India Epistolarum, eodem interprete, libri IV. Accessit Ignatii Loiolae vita. Omnia ab Auctore recognita, & nunc primum in Germania excusa, Cologne: In Officina Birckmannica, sumptibus Arnoldi Mylii, 1589, title with printer's woodcut device, early inscription to upper blank margin and square paper patch to lower blank margin obscuring ink stamp, folding uncoloured engraved world map 'Indiarum Orientalium Occidentaliumque Descriptio, Pet. Maffei Historiae Harum Verissimae, Dedicata' (platemark 260 x 485 mm), with small rust spot, a few decorative woodcut initials, initial two leaves loosening, occasional light toning and minor dampstains, 20th-century bookplate of Dr. E. Vandenbergh to front pastedown (possibly later paper), without front free endpaper, contemporary vellum, manuscript title to spine (torn and with some loss at foot), slight wear to lower joint, lacking ties, folio (30 x 18.7 cm)

(Qty: 1)

Adams M92; Cordier Sinica 782; Sabin 43770 (note); Shirley The Mapping of the World, 166; cf. Borba de Moraes p. 9 (first edition, Florence, 1588).

First edition printed in Germany. Maffei's history of the East and West Indies provides much important information on India, China, Japan and Brazil. 'Later issues are recorded from Venice, Bergamo and Antwerp but only those from Cologne in 1589 and 1593 contain a world map' (Shirley).