Christophorus Columbus, De Insulis Nuper In Mari Indico Inventis 1494 Basel Edition for Sale for $900,000

If you are looking to auction, buy, consign or sell the book, Christopher Columbus De Insulis Nuper In Mari Indico Inventis, please email [email protected] or call (310) 440-2982.

Christopher Columbus De Insulis Nuper In Mari Indico Inventis

We have an unbelievable Christopher Columbus rare book for sale. A Christopher Columbus book from 1494 with his letter of the discovery of America to Ferdinand, Isabella and Woodcuts.

This is an extraordinarily scarce 1494 Basel edition of Christopher Columbus’ letter to Ferdinand and Isabella, announcing his discovery of the new world. It comes with 6 woodcuts, 3 of which depict the new lands. Entitled “Christophorus Columbus, De insulis nuper in mari Indico invents”. This translates to “Christopher Columbus, Has recently been found in the sea, from the islands of the Indian Ocean”. Columbus pens the letter upon his return from the “Indian” isles in March 1493. It is addressed to Ferdinand and Isabella, his patron Luis de Santangel and also the Royal Treasurer Raphael Sanxis. He confirms that the new lands justified the expensive and risky expedition.

Leander de Cosco translated the letter into Latin for this 1494 Basel edition, of which only one has sold at auction in the past 41 years. The six woodcuts in the edition were done by Albrecht Durer and represent the first depictions of the New World. They show the arrival of the Spanish at the insula hyspana, a quasi-map of the Antilles, the construction of the fort La Navidad on the island of Hispaniola and Columbus’ caravel under full sail. There is also a portrait of Ferdinand of Aragon holding the shields of Castile and Leon, which forms the title woodcut of this edition, and a coat of arms. The book is missing the signature “bb”, containing Carolus Verardus’ telling of the capture of Granada from the Moors by Ferdinand. It is bound in citron morocco by W. Matthews, with paneled sides and gilt edges. It was cited by Sabin to be an important book of extreme rarity. For Sale at $900,000. Please email [email protected] or call (310) 440-2982 if you are interested in this piece.

If you are looking to auction, buy, consign or sell the book, Christophorus Columbus, De Insulis Nuper In Mari Indico Inventis, please email [email protected] or call (310) 440-2982.