The naturall and morall historie of the East and West Indies : intreating of the remarkeable things of heaven, of the elements, mettalls, plants and beasts which are proper to that country : together with the manners, ceremonies, lawes, governements, and warres of the Indians
José de Acosta (Author), Edward Grimeston (Attributed name, Translator), Valentine Simmes (Printer), Edward Blount (Bookseller), William Aspley (Bookseller), Thordarson Collection
First English language edition of this most important source book on the Indians of Mexico and Peru, and on the natural history of South America, following the Seville, 1590 edition. A Jesuit father, Acosta spent 17 years in American missions in Mexico and Peru between 1571 and 1588. While in Peru he was instrumental in founding the printing press there, and its first productions, in 1585, were prepared by him. In addition to being an accomplished linguist, Acosta was one of the first to formulate a systemic theory of anthropology, suggesting a classification of different peoples into different types, which foreshadowed later ideas of social evolution. "As a natural historian, Acosta surpassed Oviedo. He took a philosophical approach to natural phenomena, searching for causes and effects in a spirit of critical inquiry. The subject of his moral history is pre-Columbian civilizations, particularly the Aztecs and the Incas, whose religions, customs, and governments he admiringly compares" - Delgado-Gomez. "The most convincing, detailed and reliable account of the riches and new things of America. He provided great detail in his descriptions of sailing directions, mineral wealth, trading commodities, Indian history, etc. Consequently his work operated more strongly than any other in opening the eyes of the rest of Europe to the great wealth that Spain was drawing from America" - Streeter. Acosta was a keen observer of New World plants. He "mentions most of the plants used in Peru as foodstuffs or as medicinals, and even the ornamentals. He remarks that the Indians loved flowers just for their beauty" - Shaw. There is also a detailed discussion of plants exported to the Old World, such as ginger, and the use of coca in Peru. Palau 1996; Shaw, Plant of the New World, 11; Sabin 131; STC 94; European Americana 604/1; Medina (BHA) 324 (first edition); Delgado-Gomez, Spanish Historical Writing about the New World, 44; Arents 67; Church 328; Hill 4; Howgego A7; Bell A54 JCB (3) II:24; Streeter Sale, 32; Field 8
Print Book, English, 1604
Printed by Val. Sims for Edward Blount and William Aspley, London, 1604