Historie Del. S.D. Fernando Colombo; Nelle quali s’ha particolare, & vera relatione della vita, & de’ fatti dell’ Ammiraglio D. Christoforo Colombo, suo padre. [Histories of Ferdinand Columbus; In which is a particular and true account of the life and deeds of Admiral D. Christopher Columbus, his father

COLOMBO, Fernando. [Ferdinand Columbus]. [Christopher Columbus].

$4,800.00

Item Number: 149120

Venice: Appresso Francesco de' Franceschi Sanese, 1571.

First edition of “the only source of information upon many events in the life of Columbus” (Church), written by his second son. Duodecimo, bound in full crushed levant morocco with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised gilt bands, triple gilt ruling to the front and rear panel, elaborately scrolled inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. In near fine condition with toning to the spine. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box.

The second son of Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Columbus was born in Córdoba, Spain in 1488. At the age of thirteen, he accompanied his father on his fourth voyage with the goal of finding a western route to the Indian Ocean. “The author was the illegitimate son of Christopher Columbus. He accompanied his father on his fourth and last voyage (1502-1504) and seems to have been with him when he died; therefore being a witness to some of the events which he relates. He returned to Spain and collected the library of printed books and manuscripts, now known as the Biblioteca Colombina, at Seville, where he spent the remainder of his life. He wrote several memoirs besides this life of his father, the original text of which was lost. This book, despite the efforts of some writers to prove it a fogery, still remains the only source of information upon many events in the life of Columbus” (Church). Alden; Landis 571. Church 114; Sabin 14674.