First edition of a history of the collection of four archipelagos in the North Atlantic, off the coasts of Africa and Europe, called Macaronesia, and the Azores in particular, written by a native of Terceira. The work describes each island separately, focussing on its history, discovery, natural resources and inhabitants. It also gives important information on prominent Azorean families, including the author's own. These parts are preceded by shorter parts about the history of Portugal, the Canaries, Cape Verde and Madeira, with references to Brazil and the Americas. This work rarely appears on the market.
Antonio Cordeiro (1641-1722) was a Jesuit priest, born on Terceira. He based his work on one of the most important pre 17th-century sources on Macaronesia, Saudades da terra, by historian Gaspar Frutoso (ca. 1522-1591). Until its publication, the manuscript was kept in the library of the Jesuit College of Ponta Delgada (on the island São Miguel in the Azores), where Cordeiro probably found it. Cordeiro's work closely follows the structure of the Saudades. Furthermore, he used is as a main source for the 16th-century history of the region, including the description of the sugarcane industry in Madeira. After sugarcane was introduced there in the 1430s, Madeira soon became the most important location for the production of sugar for the Portuguese, producing 20000 arrobas (a unit of measure similar to 10-15 kg's) of the finest grade sugar per year. Unfortunately, due to diseases in the sugarcane crops, the industry started to decline in the second half of the 16th century. Initially neighbouring islands took over, before the production of sugar was eventually moved to Brazil.
With a manuscript number on the front pastedown ("6770"), a round sticker underneath ("66"), and remnants of a paper label. The edges and corners of the boards are somewhat scuffed and creased. The binding is somewhat scratched, with some loss of material on the back board. The first few leaves are slightly browned. Otherwise in very good condition. De Backer/Sommervogel II, 1436; Innocencio I, pp. 114; Leclerc 632; Porbase 765570 (10 copies); Sabin 16759; Schäffer, Portuguese exploration to the West, p. 14; not in USTC.