DIARIO HISTÓRICO DE LOS VIAGES DE MAR, Y TIERRA HECHOS AL NORTE DE LA CALIFORNIA…
Hardcover. A photostatic facsimile of the 1770 first edition on thick paper. Small folio: [2], 56 p. In a one-quarter early 20th century leather over plum cloth binding, with a gilt-stamped tan leather spine label. The spine is worn, chipped and abrading. The Zamorano Eigthy 22.
Provenance: The Lyman-Howell-Clifford copy, with the small label of Daniel G. Volkmann, Jr. on the front pastedown. Part of The Zamorano 80 Collection of Daniel G. Volkmann Jr., sold at auction by Dorothy Sloan (Lot 22A).
Costanso (1741-1814) was a military engineer and cartographer aboard the San Carlos on the Sacred Expedition under the command of Portola (1769-70). Describing the expedition itself, the terrain, the natives (including something of their language), and the flora and fauna of California, this first detailed report relative to Alta California drew the attention of Spain’s long-standing rival of territory in the New World, Britain, and an English translation published in 1790 was sponsored by Alexander Dalrymple to support English claims to the Pacific based upon the voyage of Francis Drake in 1579 during the Nootka Sound Convention. Good. Item #75187
Price: $250.00