Ramusio - Delle Navigationi et Viaggi - Complete three volumes with 10 double page maps 1563, 1574, 1556. Rare FIRST EDITION of the Third Volume on the Americas

"Delle Navigationi et Viaggi"

 -Giovanni Battista RAMUSIO

-Published in Venice by Stamperia de Giunti

-3 volumes. Mixed edition set as usual. Text in Italian. 

-Volume 1: 1563 (3rd) ; Volume 2: 1574 (2nd) ; Volume 3: 1556 (1st)

Volume I. [4], 394 leaves (Complete). 30x20 cm (12x8") approx, Modern full vellum to style. 3 Double page maps of Africa, India and the Far East. Slightly shorter and ?supplied from another copy. Third edition.

Volume II. 5, [1], 9-30, 248 leaves (Complete).  30x20 cm (12x8") approx. 18th Century full vellum, Second edition. A few leaves browned and one gathering loosening.

Volume III. 6, 34, 453 leaves (Complete). 6 folding copper-plate maps with in-text woodcut illustrations and maps.30x20cm (12x8") approx. 18th Century full vellum, FIRST EDITION. 

Some toning to pages with worming and repairs at places. Old wax stains to maps of first volume. Maps to third volume folding with some repairs. Very good condition overall.

Ramusio's immense compilation is the most important travel collection of the 16th Century. It would directly influence the works of Hakluyt and De Bry and was a key reference work for centuries after its publication. Ramusio was secretary to the council of 10 in Venice for 43 years. Given Venice's importance to global trade, he had access to, and was able to collect, accounts of all the important global voyages of the period.

Nearly all the important early voyages in the age of discovery are present, including those of Columbus, Da Gama, Marco Polo and Magellan.

The maps are hugely important and were produced by the geographer Gastaldi. The map of South East Asia is particularly important as it is the first to name the Philippines "filipina" and the earliest "accurate" obtainable map of the area.

The maps of the Americas include the first map to focus on North East America and includes Manhattan, based on Verrazzano's voyage. A further important map in this volume is the first to show montreal, depicting the meeting between Jacques Cartier and the first nations by the royal mountain - Monte Real. The maps in the third volume are here in the RARE 1st STATE from 1556. The woodblock of this state was destroyed in a fire in 1557 so all subsequent editions were created using different woodblocks.

A nice complete set of Ramusio, here with the 3rd volume on the Americas in the rare first edition.

Provenance: Ex Bonhams auction house, London.