Historie naturael ende morael van de Westersche Indien. Waer inne ghehandelt wordt van de merckelijckste dingen des hemels/ elementen/ metalen/ planten ende ghedierten van dien: als oock de manieren/ ceremonien/ wetten/ regeeringen/ ende oorloghen der Indianen. .. nu eerstmael uyt den Spaenschen in onser Nederduytsche tale overgheset: door Jan Huyghen van Linschoten.

Enchutsen, Jacob Lenaertsz Meyn, 1598.Sm.8vo. 17th century vellum (back cover soiled). With woodcut device on titlepage and decorated woodcut initials and tailpieces. (7),389,(8) lvs. First Dutch edition, translated by Jan Huygen van Linschoten; first published in Seville in 1590: Historia natural y moral delas Indias. - José de Acosta (1540-1600), Spanish Jesuit missionary and historian, wrote this early important eye-witness account of South America, dealing i.a. with the history of the Indians of Peru and Mexico. 'Agosta was one of the first scholars to formulate a systemic theory of anthropology, suggesting a classification of different peoples into different types, and anticipating later theories of social evolution' (Howgego p.3). It is one of the earliest balanced accounts of the New World, concentrating on the Spanish possessions in Peru and Mexico, covering the Inca and Aztec people. A great classic translated into nearly every European language. It opened the eyes of Europe to the extraordinary wealth Spain was reaping from its possessions in the New World. 'The most convincing, detailed and reliable account of the riches and new things of America' (Streeter 32 English ed.)- (With library stamp on titlepage and faint waterstains in a few leaves). - A very good copy of a pioneering work on America.Tiele 25; Tiele, Mémoire, 289; Muller, America, p.3; Cat. NHSM I, p.261; Sabin 126; European Americana 598/3; Palau 1992.