Terra Rossa, Vitale | First issue of his account of discoveries in the New World

Terra Rossa, Vitale

Riflessioni Geografiche Circa Le Terre Incognite Disteie in ossequio perpetuo della nobilta veneziana. Padoua: Cadorino, 1686

4to (226 x 162 mm). Half-title, woodcut device on title page, initials and headpieces, engraved portrait of the author, index at end; scattered light foxing and toning, a few leaves with dampstaining, primarily to gutter and with some loss, a few leaves with marginal worming and short tears, Mm1 margin repaired. Contemporary vellum, manuscript spine title; lightly soiled, split at head of upper hinge, repairs to foot of spine.

First issue of Terra Rossa's somewhat biased account of discoveries in the New World, denoted by the 1686 date and the privilege below the imprint reading "Et Privilegio del Serenissimo Principe."

This surprisingly little-known work credits Venetian explorers with several monumental global discoveries, going so far as to credit Marco Polo with discovering Australia and attempting to rename Terra Australis as Terra Australe Magallanica to honor Magellan. Terra Rossa also defends the claims of the Zeno brothers to have made a northern discovery of America prior to Columbus.

Rare—we trace only two copies at auction in the last 50 years.

REFERENCES

Sabin 94858; European Americana 686/157