Valuable descriptions of Arabia Felix and Arabia Deserta

Godinho, Manoel, SJ. Relacão do novo caminho que fez por terra e mar, vindo da India para Portugal no anno de 1663.

Lisbon, Typographia da Sociedade Propagadora dos Conhecimentos Uteis, 1842.

8vo. (III)-XVI, 234, (4) pp. Modern marbled boards.

 1,500.00

Second edition of Manuel Godinho's account of his return trip from India to Portugal in 1664 by a new route, particularly important for its observations on India and the Middle East. "A very rare and valuable book of early travel in and near India, of which Brunet remarks that it is so rare as to have been wanting in the best collections of Voyages and Travels sold during many years past" (Quaritch, Bibliotheca Hispana, 210). First published in 1665, this classic of Portuguese travel literature contains valuable descriptions of India, Persia, and the adjacent Turkish Dominions, Arabia Felix, Arabia Deserta, etc. Godinho (1632-1712) had the spirit of an adventurer rather than a priest, and left the Order on his return to Portugal in 1663. He candidly admits the decline of Portuguese power in India, and the rise of the English and Dutch, especially the former. "His entertaining account of his rush to Europe contains observations of the customs of the Hindus and Muslims, as well as descriptions of the places visited" (Howgego). One of the earliest and most interesting Jesuit accounts of India, dating from the very end of Portuguese domination of the country, written shortly before Bombay was ceded once and for all to the English in accordance with the Anglo-Portuguese peace treaty of 1661.

Without the series title "Coleccão de obras reimpressas de la Sociedad Propagadora". First pages lightly waterstained in the margins; somewhat foxed throughout.

References

Brunet II, 1639 (note). De Backer/S. III, 1522 f. Conde do Ameal 1075 ("Relacao muito interessante e curiosa, e muito rara"). Howgego G 54. Palau 103.032. Palha 2326.

Stock Code: BN#52116 Tags: ,