L'Asia [– Dell'Asia, la seconda deca]

one of the first great accounts of European overseas exploration

Second Italian edition of the first and second Decadas of Barros, originally published in 1552-53 in Lisbon and first published in Italian by Valgrisio in 1561; the Portuguese original is excessively rare. The Decadas is one of the first great accounts of European overseas exploration and colonisation. The first part refers to Columbus, the discovery of the Americas and of Brazil. Barros (1496-1570), a Portuguese historian and civil servant, is of great importance in Brazilian history as being one of the 'donatorios'.

The last volume, which appeared posthumously in 1615, covered the period from 1539 to the end of the century and was edited and written by Diogo do Couto. Barros' other works on geography, commerce, and navigation disappeared after his death.

Second Italian edition. 2 vols in one, small 4to. in 8s, [10], 200, [7], [1 (blank)], 228 ff., woodcut device to titles, woodcut initials throughout; short marginal paper-flaw to 2a7, occasional light browning; late 19th-century red morocco gilt, all edges marbled and gilt, marbled endpapers, ribbon page-marker; a little darkened, minimally rubbed, short splits to hinges, nonetheless a very good copy.

European Americana, 561/6; Sabin 3647; BdM I, 86-87.