Principal Navigations, Voyages Traffiques and Discoueries of the English Nation, made by Sea or ouer-land, ro the remote and farthest distant quarters of the Earth, at any time within the compasse of these 1600 yeres: Deuided into three seuerall Volumes, according to the positions of t

London: George Bishop, Ralph Newberrie and Robert Barker, 1599. Full Description:

HAKLUYT, Richard. The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoueries of the English Nation, made by Sea or ouer-land, ro the remote and farthest distant quarters of the Earth, at any time within the compasse of these 1600 yeres: Deuided into three seuerall Volumes, according to the positions of the Regions, whereunto they were directed... London: George Bishop, Ralph Newberrie and Robert Barker, 1599-1600.

The second, expanded edition of Volume I. The first edition of Volumes II and III as they were not part of the first edition. With the (truncated) second state of the title-page which has the publication year of 1599, the mention of Cadiz has been removed and it also has "yeres" for "years". This copy retains the often excised leafs about Cadiz (pp 607-620). Three books in two folio volumes (11 x 7 1/4 inches;278 x 185 mm ). [24, 620; [16], 312, 204; [16], 868 pp. Black letter. Woodcut initials and head- and tail-pieces. Bound without the map in the third volume as usual. Pforzheimer notes: "it is generally allowed that the map which belongs in that third volume, only occasionally found, was not issued with all copies."

In the style of 17th century full calf, neatly rebacked with 17th century spines. Boards with gilt central device. Spines ruled in gilt. Tan morocco spine labels, lettered in gilt. Newer endpapers. Some scorching to the top and bottom margin of the first volume, occasionally touching the heading and page number. The final three leaves (Rrr4-6) of the first book (volume II) with some staining. Occasional dampstaining. Previous owner's occasional old ink marginalia. The first title-page with two early ink signatures. Armorial bookplate on verso of the first and third title-pages. Still, overall a very good copy.

"The most complete collection of voyages and discoveries, by land as well as by sea, and of the nautical achievements of the Elizabethans" (PMM on first edition)

This is the second state of the second edition of this celebrated chronicle, which comprises a remarkable and comprehensive assemblage of English exploration narratives from the sixteenth-century As is well known, Elizabeth I ordered the excision of the account of the 1596 Voyage to Cadiz after the Earl of Essex (a principal player at Cadiz) disgraced himself by returning from Ireland without leave on 28 September 1599. Unlike many other copies, the account of the Voyage to Cadiz is still present in this copy. The third volume of this title is entirely devoted to America.

Richard Hakluyt (1552?-1616), English scholar and clergyman. His Principal Navigations (1589) “contains accounts of the voyages of Raleigh, of the Cabots, of Drake’s circumnavigation, of Martin Frobisher’s search for the Northwest Passage, and the like. His work, which reflects the great exploring spirit of the Elizabethan age, gave additional impetus to English exploration, conquest, and colonization” (Benét’s Reader’s Encyclopedia).

According to Church, " Hakluyt's Principall Navigations was the fruit of a life devoted to promoting the cause of English colonisation and commerce by disseminating knowledge about, and stimulating interest in, all the less known, or recently discovered parts of the world', and the supplement 'contains fourteen rare works not easily accessible in any other form, and is quite as important as either of the volumes published in [Hakluyt's] time."

In regards to the first edition of this title, this is the first appearance of Sir Francis Drake's account of his circumnavigation which also includes his exploration of the California Coast. "Hakluyt had indeed begun to prepare such an account [of Drake's Circumnavigation] but withdrew it so as not to prejudice a collection of Drake's voyages which was in preparation. Permission now came to insert it, not improbably from Drake himself" (Hakluyt Handbook, p. 475).

Church 322. Fox I pp.3-4. STC 12626. Hill 744. Pforzheimer 443. PMM 105. Sabin 29595.

HBS 69271.

$22,500. (Inventory #: 69271)