Historia general de los hechos de los Castellanos

The second Spanish edition of a highly important collection of Spanish narratives of exploration and conquest, drawing on some sources no longer extant.

An essential work for the study of the discovery, conquest and colonization of America, preferred in the second edition because it was compiled, amended and enlarged by Andres Gonzalez Barcia with the addition of the Tabla General de cosas notables bound at the end. The Descripcion de las Indias Occidentales is in volume I, with a different engraved title and separate foliation; it includes 14 folding engraved maps of the American Continent, West Indies (2), New Spain (Mexico), New Galicia (Mexico), Guatemala, South America, Panama, Nuevo Reino (Colombia and Venezuela), Audience of Quito (Ecuador), Audience of Lima (Peru), Audience of Los Charchas (Bolivia), Chile and the East Indies. When first published in 1622, it also contained the true first edition of the journal of the Le Maire-Schouten are copies of this edition dated 1727, 1728, 1729 and 1730, which are all alike except as the date-the work not having been completed till that year-the publishers changing the dates as circumstances suggested' (Sabin). Herrera was royal historiographer to Philip II, III and IV of Spain and had privileged access to the archives; his ambitious and comprehensive compilation was first in Madrid, 1601-1615.

This present set is particularly desirable as it has been extended by the addition not only of the Descripcion de las Indias Occidentales, but also the Origen de los Indios, not usually found with the other two works. Together they provide a thorough coverage of the populations of South America, the Spanish conquest and colonisation, and the Dutch exploration of the Pacific.

The ordering of this set is eccentric with the Origen at the beginning of volume 1 after the general title, followed by the second Decada. The Descripcion and the first Decada are bound after the fourth Decada in the second volume.