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Second edition, the first practically obtainable edition of Pigafetta's famous narrative of Magellan's circumnavigation, supplemented by an early edition of Maximilianus Transylvanus's account of Magellan, the first combined appearance of the two, and the two most authoritative descriptions of that voyage. Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521) was born in Portugal and served his country in East Asia and Africa. In 1517 he offered his services to King Charles V of Spain, arguing that the Moluccas Islands were within the region of discovery assigned to Spain by Pope Alexander VI. Magellan and 265 sailors aboard five ships left Spain in August 1519, sailing through the straits off the southern coast of South America that now bear his name and into the Pacific Ocean, which Magellan himself named due to its tranquil nature. He sailed across the unexplored Pacific with no charts, and equipment consisting only of a compass, an hourglass, and an astrolabe, relying on the sun for his calculations of latitude, and with no knowledge of longitude. He arrived at the Philippines (which he had visited earlier while sailing from west to east), where he was killed by natives in April 1521. The command of the voyage devolved to Sebastiano del Cano, who led the remaining ships and crew across the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope, and back to Spain. They arrived at Seville in September 1522 with only one ship, Victoria, and with 18 sailors still alive. "To many the first circumnavigation of the globe, which unfolded to the world the vastness of the Pacific and a new conception of geography, is as great an event as the discovery of America" (Streeter, Americana Beginnings). The earliest account of Magellan's voyage was written by Maximilianus Transylvanus, the son of the Archbishop of Salzburg, and a student of the great chronicler of discoveries, Peter Martyr. When the survivors of the voyage went to Valladolid to report to the Emperor, Martyr instructed Maximilianus to interview the sailors and to write out an account of the voyage in Latin. The first edition was published in 1523, followed by three other editions in 1523 and 1524. This 1536 printing is the fifth edition of Maximilianus's account, which occupies the first 12 leaves of the text. One of the sailors interviewed by Maximilianus was Francisco Pigafetta, an Italian nobleman who accompanied Magellan and who was one of the few survivors of the voyage. Pigafetta was not only highly literate, but also a meticulous observer, providing a remarkably accurate ethnographic and geographic narrative of the circumnavigation which is recognized as such by modern authorities on early encounters between Europeans and the East Indies. For example his account of Brunei, the first by a European, offers a comprehensive, authentic and detailed record noting the adherence to Islamic practices such as the shunning of pork, the observance of dabihah slaughter of halal animals for consumption, ritual cleanliness, and circumcision. Pigafetta's carefully gleaned vocabularies included not only Cebuano, the language of the southern Philippines, the geographic centre of his narrative, but also words from Brazil, Patagonia, and importantly Malay, referred to by him as "Moorish", the language of the Muslim peoples of the Moluccas. Pigafetta's Malay word-list of over 400 entries is an important witness to the penetration of Arabic and Persian vocabularies, influencing the development of the classical Malay language, the primary instrument in spreading Islam and commercial activities throughout the region. Pigafetta kept a journal while at sea, which he expanded into a fuller account upon his return to Italy. An abridgement of that account was published in French c.1525, which is known in only a handful of copies. At the Streeter sale in 1966 the French edition realized $56,000 and was the second most expensive book in the sale. The present work is the second edition overall (and first Italian edition) of Pigafetta's account, translated from the earlier French version. Only two copies have appeared on the market in the past half-century, the last in 1979. Pigafetta's first-hand account makes up the final 35 leaves of the work. While Maximilianus is a consolidated account based on his interviews, Pigafetta's narrative is a direct chronicle of personal experience. Together the two narratives are the basic sources for one of the most monumental achievements in human history. READ MORE Small quarto (204 x 143 mm): A4 A-M4; 52 leaves, unnumbered. Skilfully recased to style in old vellum. Housed in a black quarter morocco solander box by the Chelsea Bindery. 52 unnumbered leaves, complete; collates A4, A-M4. Early ink manuscript notes to blank verso of final leaf. A tiny amount of paper restoration and two reinforcements in gutter at centre of quire H not affecting text, a few trivial marks; generally a very good, well-margined copy, the paper fresh and strong. Borba de Moraes, pp. 547-48; British Museum (Italian) 428; Church 74; European Americana 536/14; Harrisse (Bav) 215; Howgego M17; JCB (3) I:120; Palau 158777, 225741; Printing and the Mind of Man 57 (ref.); Sabin 47042.

"Il viaggio fatto da gli spagnuoli a torno a'l mondo" is a seminal work that chronicles one of the most extraordinary adventures in human history: the first circumnavigation of the globe. Authored by Antonio Pigafetta and complemented by Maximilianus Transylvanus, this account offers a vivid and detailed record of the expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan from 1519 to 1522. Through their narratives, Pigafetta and Transylvanus not only contribute to our understanding of early modern exploration but also provide insights into the cultures, landscapes, and peoples encountered during this remarkable voyage. This essay aims to delve into the significance, themes, and impact of their account, shedding light on its contribution to the annals of exploration literature and its lasting legacy in the broader context of world history. Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian scholar and explorer, embarked on the expedition as a supernumerary, eager to witness and document the wonders of the world. His account, "Il viaggio fatto da gli spagnuoli a torno a'l mondo," is one of the few surviving eyewitness reports of the journey, offering an invaluable perspective on the events and experiences of the crew. Maximilianus Transylvanus, on the other hand, compiled the first published account of the circumnavigation, based on interviews with survivors of the expedition upon their return to Spain. Together, their works provide a comprehensive and multifaceted view of this pioneering voyage. The circumnavigation led by Magellan and later completed by Juan Sebastián Elcano after Magellan's death in the Philippines, was a monumental achievement that forever altered the European understanding of the world. It provided definitive proof that the Earth is round and offered new routes and opportunities for trade and exploration. Furthermore, the journey highlighted the vastness and diversity of the Earth, challenging preconceived notions and igniting curiosity and ambition in Europe about the unknown parts of the world. Pigafetta's account is rich with descriptions of the natural world, detailing the flora, fauna, and geographic features encountered during the voyage. His keen observations offer a glimpse into the biodiversity of the early 16th century, much of which was unknown to Europeans at the time. Additionally, the narrative is imbued with encounters with various indigenous peoples, providing an early ethnographic account of their customs, languages, and ways of life. Through these descriptions, Pigafetta and Transylvanus touch upon themes of discovery, cultural exchange, and the human impulse to explore and understand the unknown. The accounts of Pigafetta and Transylvanus have had a profound impact on the world, not only in terms of geographic knowledge but also in influencing subsequent generations of explorers, scholars, and navigators. Their writings contributed to the expansion of European exploration and colonization, shaping the course of global history. Furthermore, these narratives have become key texts in the study of early modern exploration, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of this daring endeavor.