Delle Navigationi et Viaggi raccolte da M. Gio. Battista Ramusio, in tre volumi divise by RAMUSIO, Giovanni Battista (1485-1557) - 1613

Venice: appresso i Giunti, 1613. 3 volumes, folio. (12 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches). 10 folding or double-page maps and plans (3 engraved, 7 woodcut), woodcut maps and illustrations within the text. Two text leaves in vol. 3 (a4 and a5) supplied from slightly shorter copy. Minor worming in upper gutter margin of volume one affecting approx. 20 leaves (without loss of text), volume three with paper restoration in the lower margin affecting appro. 40 leaves (without loss of text), minor paper loss at lower margin of approx. 20 leaves in vol. 3 (not affecting text). Bottom edges of vols. 1 and 2 with early manuscript titling. Twentieth century vellum, spine with raised bands, red and brown morocco lettering pieces A fine set of this highly important compilation of world voyages: a cornerstone of any collection of travel books and early Americana. As is often the case with sets of Ramusio, the present set is a mix of issues: the sixth edition of the first volume, the third edition of the second volume and the rare first edition of the third volume. Ramusio's effort is the first general compilation of narratives of the European exploration of the rest of the world. From John Locke to Henry Harrisse, scholars and bibliographers have praised Ramusio for his choice of material, his care and accuracy in presenting it, and his assiduous sorting of the evidence of the new discoveries. The first editions or first available editions of many of the most important voyages are contained herein, and the set is basic to any collection of voyages. The first volume is devoted to Africa and the East, especially the narratives of early Portuguese exploration, covering De Gama, Alvarez, Barros, and Pigafetta. The maps in the first volume are some of the first engraved maps to appear in any travel book. The second volume describes the journeys of Marco Polo, Varthema's eastern travels, and Persian voyages. Present here is the first edition of the second volume to include an account of Sebastian Cabot. The third volume is entirely devoted to America, and includes accounts of Peter Martyr, Oviedo (whose book XX occupies almost half the volume), Cortès, Cabeça de Vaca, Guzman, Ulloa, Coronado, Fray Marcos di Niza, Xerez, Verrazano, and Cartier. The final section on New France is particularly notable, being an early general publication of Cartier's Canadian experiences. Ramusio's maps are particularly important. The western hemisphere map in the third volume, the product of a collaboration between Ramusio and Oviedo, is the most complete one of its time, even showing Japan as more than one island. The Newfoundland and Hochelaga maps, resulting from Cartier's explorations, are the best early Canadian maps, with the latter being the first printed plan of a town in North America. Adams R-139; Borba de Moraes pp.698-99; Church 99; Cox p.28; European Americana 613/108, 583/59, 556/38; Sabin 67735, 67738, 67740; Streit I:337, I:143, I:75.