Beschreibung:

GONZALEZ DE MENDOZA, Juan (1545-1618). Nova et succincta, vera tamen historia de amplissimo, potentissimoque, nostro quidem orbi hactenus incognito, sed perpaucis abhinc annis explorato Regno China . Translated from the German by Marc Henning. Frankfurt: [S. Feyerabend?], [1589]. First Latin edition o f this important general description of China, containing the accounts of the Augustinian and Franciscan friars to China via the Philippines. The work also includes an itinerary of the New World and the discovery of Mexico, translated by Luc de la Porte from the writings of Father Margin Ignacio, detailing his travels to Mexico, the Canaries, Santa Domingo, Jamaica, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. 'According to Nicholas Antonio, the ... Itinerary of the New World ... was written by F. Martin Ignacio, and was never published separately... The itinerary gives curious details concerning the Canaries, St. Domingo, Jamaica, Cuba, Porto Rico, and especially Mexico. Ortelius, in his Atlas , declared that he had received more information concerning America, from this itinerary than from any other single book' (Sabin 27775). The first edition in German appeared previously the same year; the dedication is to Count Anton Fugger. Adams G-870; Alden & Landis 589/30; Cordier Sinica I, 14-15; Lust 27; Palau 105516; Sabin 27781. Octavo (154 x 95mm). Title printed in red and black; with two final blank leaves present at end. Contemporary vellum with overlapping fore-edges, edges stained red (rebacked). Provenance : Jesuit College of Brussels (early inscription at head of title) – early ex dono inscription on title 'Dono R.D…. Clemens decanis' and purchase note on rear endpaper – Sir Thomas Phillipps copy (shelfmark visible beneath later front pastedown) – Philip Robinson (sale Sotheby’s London, 22 November 1988, lot 47) – Jean R. Perrette (sale Christie's New York, 5 April 2016, lot 178).