The Lusiad; or, the Discovery of India.

An epic poem. Translated from the original Portuguese of Luis de Camoëns. Oxford : printed by Jackson and Lister for J. New [and others], 1778. Second English edition. Quarto, half speckled calf over marbled papered boards (some paper loss), spine elaborately gilt, contrasting morocco title label lettered in gilt, etched frontispiece by J. Mortimer, title leaf (early owner’s name H. Morrison); dedication leaf; pp. ccxxxvi; 496, manuscript addition of text yo pp. 436-47, folding map charting Vasco da Gama’s voyage; a fine copy.

An important edition of Camoens’ epic poem, adapted with poetic license by Mickle, who includes a critique of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations in his lengthy introduction. First published in 1572, it is widely regarded as the most important work in Portuguese-language literature. The poem celebrates the discovery of a sea route to India by the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama (1469-1524).

Provenance :

Bernard Quaritch, their collation notes and slip loosely enclosed

private collection, acquired circa 1990.