3 volumes, FIRST EDITIONS OF VOLUMES 2 AND 3, third edition of volume 1, folio (296 x 192mm.), 10 folding or double-page woodcut maps and plates, woodcut illustrations, maps and plans in text, early blind-panelled calf, gilt lettering to spines, old paper labels with manuscript at foot of spines, vol.1 with title soiled and backed, last leaf with small repair, e5-6 supplied from another copy, vol.2 with small hole in title, a few leaves damp-stained, quire H supplied from another copy, vol.3 map of Western Hemisphere at end trimmed at lower edge and restored with a few letters supplied in manuscript (also minor restoration centre top), some wear and restoration to bindings

Sabin 67732, 67736, 67740; Church I, 99

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A VERY GOOD SET OF "ONE OF THE EARLIEST AND MOST IMPORTANT COLLECTIONS OF VOYAGES AND TRAVELS OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY" (Church).
IT IS EXTREMELY RARE TO FIND SETS IN UNIFORM EARLY BINDINGS. Volume 1 relates to Africa and includes accounts of Amerigo Vespucci, Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Leo Africanus.
Volume 2 relates to Asia and contains Ramusio's famous edition of Marco Polo's writings and his biography of him.
Volume 3 relates to the Americas, including accounts by and about Cortés, Coronado, Pizarro and Orellana. It contains the first printing of Giovanni da Verrazano's letter to François I on his 1524 voyage to North America, when he sailed up the east coast of North America, establishing it to be continuous from Florida to Maine, and became the first European to see the site of present-day New York. It also contains the first printings of Jacques Cartier's accounts of his celebrated voyages of 1534 and 1535-6 to the New World (when he named Canada and reached present-day Montreal).