2 volumes. 4to
1788 · Madrid
by VARGAS Y PONCE, José de (1760-1821
Madrid: Viuda de Ibarra, Hijos y Compañía, 1788. 2 volumes. 4to. (9 3/8 x 7 inches). Engraved portrait frontispiece, 4 folding engraved maps and 4 folding tables [with:] Apéndice a la Relacion del Viage al Magallanes. Madrid: Viuda de Joaquin Ibarra, 1793. First Edition. Folding table and folding map. Contemporary quarter sheep and marbled boards. Volume I spine with paper label. Appendix spine with red morocco lettering piece, lettered gilt
First edition, one of the classic works of navigation to the Magellan Strait.
The Relacion is one of the best descriptions of the Strait of Magellan and Patagonia in the 18th century. It is based on the scientific explorations undertaken by Captain Antonio de Cordoba on board the frigate Santa Maria de la Cabeza, with the aim of exploring Patagonia and to determine the continuity of the use of the Strait for Spanish ships in voyages to the Pacific, although without success as "after these expeditions the Spanish trade routes were exclusively to east ports and then overland to the Pacific ports" (Hill). Vargas y Ponce, to whom authorship is normally attributed, used also the journals of Lieutenants Galiano and Belmonte, who sailed with Cordoba. In 1793, the Appendix present here was published "Obra interesante y bien publicada" (Palau); this later part is a historical view of former expeditions, including those of Drake and Bougainville. The illustration of this work comprises between the Relacion and the Appendix five large folding maps (including the "Carta reducida del Estrecho de Magallanes", "Carta Esferica de la parte sur de la América Meridional", and two multi-inset maps of ports), a frontispiece portrait of Fernando de Magallanes by Selma, and five folding tables.
Sabin 16765 & 1729; Hill 1756; Howgego c180; JCB II, 3224; Palau 352514 & 352515. (Inventory #: 41916)
First edition, one of the classic works of navigation to the Magellan Strait.
The Relacion is one of the best descriptions of the Strait of Magellan and Patagonia in the 18th century. It is based on the scientific explorations undertaken by Captain Antonio de Cordoba on board the frigate Santa Maria de la Cabeza, with the aim of exploring Patagonia and to determine the continuity of the use of the Strait for Spanish ships in voyages to the Pacific, although without success as "after these expeditions the Spanish trade routes were exclusively to east ports and then overland to the Pacific ports" (Hill). Vargas y Ponce, to whom authorship is normally attributed, used also the journals of Lieutenants Galiano and Belmonte, who sailed with Cordoba. In 1793, the Appendix present here was published "Obra interesante y bien publicada" (Palau); this later part is a historical view of former expeditions, including those of Drake and Bougainville. The illustration of this work comprises between the Relacion and the Appendix five large folding maps (including the "Carta reducida del Estrecho de Magallanes", "Carta Esferica de la parte sur de la América Meridional", and two multi-inset maps of ports), a frontispiece portrait of Fernando de Magallanes by Selma, and five folding tables.
Sabin 16765 & 1729; Hill 1756; Howgego c180; JCB II, 3224; Palau 352514 & 352515. (Inventory #: 41916)
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