1666 – History of Caribbean Islands – Rochefort | Famous First English Edition

The History of the Caribby-Islands by Cesar de Rochefort is one of the earliest and most important works on the history of the Caribbean. This 1666 first English edition by John Davies is a remarkable work – it records Rochefort’s descriptions of local tribes and their settlements, wildlife and plants, and the influence of colonial Europeans throughout the islands. He also discusses Spanish fortifications, ambergris discoveries in Florida, reports of slaves and their living conditions, and the existence of “sea-monsters”, which we know as sharks, swordfish, and sea-unicorns (narwhal).

This first English edition is considerably valuable, much in part to the 9 full-page engravings, all of which are retained.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The history of the Caribby-islands, viz, Barbados, St Christophers, St Vincents, Martinico, Dominico, Barbouthos, Monserrat, Mevis, Antego, & c in all XXVIII in two books
• Author(s): César de Rochefort
• Contributor(s): John Davies (Translator)
• Publisher: London, Printed by J.M. for Thomas Dring and John Starkey
• Edition: First English edition, 1666.
• Binding: Full leather
• Format: (4to), single volume
• Size:  10.5 in x 6.75 in (27 cm x 17 cm)
• Collation: [8], 351, [15] pp
• Illustrations: 9 full-page engraved plates
• Contents Include:
  • Descriptions of twenty-eight Caribbean islands
  • Spanish forts and colonial settlements
  • Accounts of indigenous peoples
  • Observations concerning enslaved populations
  • Natural history of the Caribbean
  • Ambergris discoveries in Florida
• Reference(s): Wing R1739; Sabin 72332

Condition:

Very Good. Original full leather binding with professionally restored hinges. Pages remain clean with light age toning. Nine engraved plates are clean and well preserved. Some sketches appear on the versos of plates. Heavier toning is present near the end of the volume.

Why Collect This?

• First English edition of one of the earliest surveys of the Caribbean
• Complete with all 9 full-page engravings

Item Number: # 50516