The Portugues Asia : or, the history of the discovery and conquest of India by the Portugues;

containing all their discoveries from the coast of Africk, to the farthest parts of China and Japan; all their battles by sea and land, sieges, and other memorable actions; a description of those countries, and many particulars of the religion, government and customs of the natives, &c. In three tomes. Written in Spanish by Manuel de Faria y Sousa of the Order of Christ. Translated into English by John Stevens. London : C. Brome, 1695. First English edition, Three volumes, octavo, contemporary polished calf, joints repaired, gilt rule, worn at head and foot of spines, contrasting morocco title label letters in gilt, small loss to corner of endpaper in first volume, pp. [xxxii]; 448, [xxiv]; 526; [xxii]; 440, scattered foxing, some browning and toning, a very good set.

The first English edition of Faria y Sousa’s monumental history of Portuguese colonial expansion into Asia, originally published as Asia Portuguesa, Lisbon, Henrique Valente de Oliveira, 1666-75. This important work covers Portuguese conquests in the Persian Gulf (Ormuz 1507) which opened up to route to India and the establishment of colonial forts in Goa, Diu and Daman, and then on to Macao and China.

Rare, only a single example of the English edition has sold at auction since 1980 (Rare Book Hub, with that set changing hands twice).

Wing F428; ESTC R2613

Provenance :

private collection, Sydney and Tokyo