(VARGAS Y PONCE, JOSE de) - ANTONIO DE CORDOBA.

Relacion del último Viage al Estrecho de Magallanes de la Fragata de S.M. Santa Maria de la Cabeza en los an(n)os de 1785 y 1786. Extracto de todos los anteriores desde su descubrimiento impresos y MSS. Y Noticia de los Habitantes, Suelo, Clima y Producciones del Estrecho (+) Apéndice a la Relacion del Viage al Magallanes de la Fragata de Guerra Santa Maria de la Cabeza, que contiene el de los Paquebotes Santa Casilda y Santa Eulalia para completar el reconocimiento del estrecho en los an(n)os de 1788 y 1789. 2 Vols.

Madrid, 1788-93.

4to. Bound in 2 nice contemp. full sprinkled calf. Gilt borders on covers, 5 raised bands, gilt spine, titlelabels with gilt lettering. The Appendice slightly different bound, but matching. Fine marbled endpapers. Engraved portrait. (6),XVI,359 pp. and 4 folded tables, 4 large folded engraved maps. Appendix: (4),128 pp., 1 folded table and 1 folded engraved map. Clean and fine printed on thick paper. A small wormtract in top of the last 2 maps and the last few leaves (margins).

First edition of two important expeditions by Antonio de Córdoba. The first voyage was made with the intention of surveying the Straits of Magellan to see if it was advisable for the Spaniards to continue to use it as a route to the Pacific. It also includes a history of the discovery of the strait, as well as of the expeditions of Cabot, Drake, Bougainville, Carmargo and others. The second voyage includes an interesting account by Cevallos of the first encounter with the natives.
Sabin, 16765.

Order-nr.: 54676