South America.- Cieza De León (Pedro de) & Francesco Lopez de Gomara. La Prima parte dell'Istorie del Peru [and Historia delle Nuove Indie Occidentali and Historia di Don Fernando Cortes], together 3 vol., titles with woodcut printers devices, variant device to verso of final f. of vol.1, woodcut historiated or decorative initials, vol.1 first few ff. (including title) with repairs, some just within text, but with minor loss, vol.3 minor paper flaw to title within text and lacking final blank, all vol. closely trimmed at head, the odd marginal chip (including foot of title of vol.1), some spotting or foxing (the latter mostly in vol.2), occasional mostly light staining, attractive antique style brown morocco, richly gilt, spines uniformly little faded, [I: Prescott II:328; Sabin vol.3-4 p.72 & vol.3-4 p.74; Palau 54649. II: Sabin vol.7-8 p.130; Palau 141181. III: Sabin vol.7-8 p.130; Palau 141174], 8vo, Venice, Andrea Arivabene [and Camillo Franceschini], 1556-1571-1576.

⁂ All three works are rare. Cieza de León's work is based on his time serving under Pizarro in the Indies and includes the discovery of the Indies and foundation of Panama. It is one of the most important sources for the early history of Peru. The following two works are often treated as a continuation of the first. López de Gómara covers the discovery, early exploration and first settlement of the New World by the Spanish. The first part includes the life and times of Christopher Columbus and information on Cuba, Venezuela, Peru and Nicaragua; the second part the conquest and settlement of Mexico along with the life of Hernán Cortés and his exploits.