Account of The first Recorded Non-Muslim European to Enter Mecca, Ludovico Di Varthema

1928. [Arabia][Muslim][Mecca] VARTHEMA, Ludovico Di. The Itinerary of Ludovico di Varthema of Bologna from 1502 to 1508. As Translated from the Original Italian Edition of 1510, by John Winter Jones, F.S.A. in 1863 for the Hakluyt Society with A Discourse on Varthema and his Travels in Southern Asia by Sir Richard Carnac Temple. London, The Argonaut Press, 1928. 4to. Pp. lxxxvi+122 (last blank)+[2](colophon, blank), 1 plate, title page vignette printed in blue & black, 5 full page maps within pagination, facsimile of the original title page, index. Quarter bound in vellum, spine lettered and ruled in gilt, blue/grey buckram, with rectangular device in gilt on upper and lower board. Special Edition limited to 975 numbered copies on Japon vellum of Ludovico de Varthema travels to Arabia, Persian Gulf, First Edition and India. Varthema was an Italian traveler and explorer and a real discoverer for the Arabias and the Indian Archipelago. He is recorded as being the first Westerner to enter Mecca as a pilgrim. Sir Richard Temple adopts the translation of John Winter Jones from the original 1510 edition. Even where passing over ground traversed by earlier European explorers, Varthema's keen intelligence frequently adds valuable original notes on peoples, manners, customs, laws, religions, products, trade, methods of war, etc. Retains original ribbon marker, has bookplate in center of pastedown on verso of cover. Overall in very good condition.