Beschreibung:

Botero (Giovanni), Delle Relationi Universali di Giovanni Botero Benese, [Parte Prima], Parte Seconda, Parte Terza & Quarta Parte, 4 volumes in one, Venice, Appresso Giacomo Vincenti (Part II), Appresso Gio. Battista Ussio (Part III), & Appresso Giorgio Angelieri (Part IV), 1596, [xxx], 240, 80, [xx], 152, 183, [xviii], [xvi], 78, together 4 parts bound in one volume, lacking a1 at front (title to First Part), 4 folding engraved maps of the continents of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, part titles to second, third and fourth parts present, each with woodcut device, woodcut initials, occasional marks and a2 at front of volume lightly soiled and with small tear with loss to lower outer blank corner, map of Europe with small repair to foot of fold verso (without loss), map of Asia with repair to central vertical fold verso, with minimal loss, maps of Asia and America unblemished, title to second part with some restoration and restrengthening to verso, minor loss to blank fore-edge towards head, incomplete at end, the fourth part ending on E7 (page 78), later (17th or early 18th century) sprinkled calf, gilt decorated spine, rubbed and joints partly cracked, small 4to (19 x 12.7 cm, 7.5 x 5 ins) (Qty: 10) Not in Adams; Sabin 6803; Western Travellers in China 12. Botero's Geography, containing descriptions of the countries of the world according to their territory, constitution and religion, was considered the most authoritative universal political geography for over a century, from its first publication in Rome between 1591 and 1596. Woodcut illustrations by Hans Burgkmair and his workshop were only added in the edition of 1618. 'Botero's knowledge of China, which he had previously derived exclusively from Barros, Mendoza, and the Jesuit letterbooks, becomes more realistic and critical in the Relazioni, possibly because of the new information and perspective which he derived from the Jesuits' (Western Travellers in China).