Escrita por el Licen.do … capellan de la Magestade de la Emperatriz y Retor de Villahermosa. Madrid, A. Martin, 1609.

In fólio de 28,5x19,5 cm. Com (x)-407 aliás 410 pags.

Encadernação da época inteira de pele. Folha de rosto espelhada e aparada junto ao pé com perda de uma linha com a indicação do local de edição, data e no do impressor, o que é habitual nos exemplares desta obra. A última folha da introdução com pequeno furo devido assinatura de posse coeva. A última folha com o verso em branco também espelhada.

O poeta e historiador Leonardo Argensola (1566-1631) foi capelão da imperatriz Maria de Áustria e cronista mor de Aragão. A presente obra sobre as ilhas Filipinas é a sua principal produção, trata dos feitos dos portugueses e espanhóis e em especial dos de Fernão de Magalhães.

 Salvá 3349: “Son raros los ejemplares con fróntis pero más difficiles de encontrar todavia los que tienen intacto, y con el nombre del impresor y la fecha al pié de él. Sedano en la biografia de... Argensola, que va al principio del tomo III. del Parnaso español, dice: No tan solo la poesia, sino la historia le debe grandes progresos, como lo prueba la célebre Historia de la Conquista de las Malucas... obra que en la exactitud y elocuencia tiene mui pocas que la compitan en la nacion. Contiene este libro noticias mui importantes sobre los viajes hechos por los españoles y portugueses á las Indias, y documentos interesantisimos sobre el célebre Magallánes.“

 First edition, very rare. Binding: calf gilt on spine and endpapers typical from pattern of the later 18th century. Edges of paper cuts show the typical red coloring treatment for early 17th century. Contemporary ownership inscriptions on title page. Lower margin with bottom cut off, mounted other copies are known coming with the same default. Ink inscription on last leaf of introduction corroded with loss of some letters. Final leaf (verso blank) mounted, too.

Argensola's Conquista de las Islas Molucas, one of the most important books for the history of the Philippines, and essential for the history of Spanish exploration and trade in the East Indies, was deliberately conceived to demonstrate Spanish colonial strength. Argensola, poet, historian, and friend of Cervantes, was commissioned by the Council for the Indies to write a History of the Spanish in the East Indies, including their voyages of exploration, the trade, and their wars with the Portuguese, Dutch, English, and the natives of the region. 'Few narratives are written with so much judgment and elegance... one of the most important works for the history of the Philippine Islands.

(Cox I, 284). - Sabin 1847 Palau 16089 Streit V, 108 Salvá 3349 Maggs, Spanish Books 54a Pardo de Tavera 121 Griffin 23. “A work written with unusual elegance and judgement' (Penrose). The work relates primarily to the Philippines, and the Molucas (Spice Islands), however sections deal with China, Java, Sumatra, Celebes, New Guinea, Ceylon and other areas. An account of the voyage of Sir Francis Drake is included, as is Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa's voyage of exploration to the Strait of Magellan... This book is an essential work for the history of Spanish and Portuguese exploration in the East Indies. (Hill). Hill, 1006 Kraus, 'Drake', 33 Lach, III, pp. 311-2 Medina, 'Filipinas', 48 (& BHA, 551) Palau, 16089 Retana, 67 Steele, pp. 120-21.