THE HISTORY OF THE VOYAGES OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, IN ORDER TO DISCOVER AMERICA AND THE WEST-INDIES

London: Sold by D. Midwinter, M. Cooper, A. Bland. and J. Nicholson, 1777. Fourth Printing. 185 x 110 mm. (7 1/2 x 4 1/4"). 1 p.l., 190 pp.
19th century dark brown sheep, raised bands flanked by gilt rules, maroon morocco label, newer endpapers. ESTC N8132; Sabin 14656. Rear joint cracked alongside top three compartments, front joint somewhat rubbed and slightly snagged at top and bottom, minor marks to covers, but the binding still solid. Front flyleaf and title page with indentations from a paper clip, persistent thumbing, small smudges, and minor marginal stains, occasional corner creases; a well-loved copy, but with nothing approaching a fatal defect.

This rarely seen adulatory narrative of the five voyages Columbus made to the new world was apparently geared to a youthful audience that would be excited and inspired by his adventures--and perhaps encouraged to embrace endeavors to expand the British empire. Accordingly, the text reads more like an adventure story than a scholarly account. The unattributed text notes the contributions of other explorers, including John Cabot, who sailed to Newfoundland in 1494, and Amerigo Vespucci, who did not, in the author's opinion, deserve to have continents named for him. Footnotes explain which of the islands Columbus claimed for Spain now belonged to England. The book was first printed around 1750, and ESTC records four additional issues in the 18th century. Few copies have appeared at auction, most no doubt read to death by the boys for whom they were intended..