1726 History AMERICA Indians WEST INDIES South CENTRAL Conquistadores NORTH Rare

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1726 History AMERICA Indians WEST INDIES South CENTRAL Conquistadores NORTH Rare:
$225.00

The General History of the Vast Continent and Islands of America, Commonly call\'d, The West-Indies, from The First Discovery thereof. With the best Accounts the People could give of their Antiquities. Collected from the Original Relations sent to the Kings of Spain. Vol. VI. Translated into English by Capt. John Stevens.Herrera y Tordesillas, Antonio de. London: 1726. Vol 5, Only.

Vol 5 only (of 6) from Antonio De Herrera y Tordesillas\'s \' The General History of the vast Continent and Islands of America.\' The first edition in English of one of the primary accounts of the early Spanish conquest of the New World, originally published in Madrid in 1601-15. Herrera was the official historian to Philip II, and was able to examine many documents which were later destroyed, making his work a primary document in its own right. It is one of the most basic of New World histories. \"These volumes are important for the history of the conquest, colonization, and progress of the Spaniards in America\" - Hill. Among the sources of this history, mentioned by its author, are the Relations of Pizarro, Cortes, Cabeza de Vaca, Gomara, Zarate, Oviedo, Diaz del Castillo, and many other discoverers and historians of points in the West Indies, Central America, and the southern portion of the present United States. \"No one has ever disputed the fidelity of old Herrera, styled the Prince of Historians, to the sources of information then accessible, and no one has ever exceeded him in careful research, and interesting narration of aboriginal history. He sought and obtained many of the original documents, which the industry and spirit of the old missionaries and explorers made so numerous and voluminous. He copied, almost bodily, the MS. History of the Indies by Las Casas. Mr. Squire notices that he has transferred almost the entire MS. Relacion of Palacio, to chapters 8, 9, and 10 of the Eighth Book of his Fourth Decade. His work is a perfect treasure-house of the most valuable details, regarding the original state of the religion and manners of the Indians.\" -Field.

Bound in its original rear board and spine, with the mismatched upper board detached. Leather with visible wear and light loss to extremities to spine. Board with central gilt griffin. Ex Lib with the usual treatments, including ink markings and stamp to title, as well as final advert in rear. Text lightly worn with a few instances of foxing, and minor stains. Title inscribed at crown, front EP and frontis detached but with all additional pages bound. Text complete; [2], 430, [2] pp, with title in red and black. There are 2 plates present: frontispiece and 1 folding plate, as shown. Good luck!