Geronimo de Chaves was a mathematician, astrologer, cosmographer, and the Royal Professor of Cartography in Seville. First published in 1548, Chaves' Chronographia was divided into four parts dealing with time, geography, astrology and medicine. Subsequent editions were published in 1554, 1561, 1566, 1572, 1576, and 1581 and 1588, although all editions are rare. Included in the section on geography were two separate maps of the western and eastern hemispheres. The important map of the western hemisphere is quite basic but does show knowledge of recent explorations. The Gulf of California is depicted, and the Yucatan is correctly identified as a peninsula. Although there are no names on the map, Mexico City is marked. The map is surrounded by 12 windheads with their respective names.

Also included in the work are numerous woodcut illustrations of an earth-centric solar system, lunar and solar eclipses, personifications of the planets, and a figure of a man. At the end of the volume are tables of the longitudes of places in both Europe and the New World. Published in Seville, Spain by Joan Guttierrez. Octavo. Frontispiece; 2 pp.; v pp.; 9 pp; 253 pp. (numbered by leaf). This example is missing leaves 105-119, which included engravings of each of the 12 astrological signs. Rebound in full red leather with 4 raised bands, gilt tooling, and black leather title labels on spine. Although all editions of Chaves' Chronographia are rare, the 1566 edition appears to be even more so, as we were not able to locate any sales of the 1566 edition in the last 30 years.

References: Burden #15; cf. Sabin #12351; Shirley #86A.

Condition: B+

There are light damp stains that affect leaves 80-105, including the western hemisphere map and several of the engravings of the personifications of the planets. Most of the text is relatively clean and bright, with very minor toning and occasional soiling or manuscript ink markings. There are archival repairs to some chips in the last leaf of the book. The frontispiece has old manuscript ink markings, a couple of short tears, and some abrasions at bottom right. The binding is sound and the covers show light wear and stains.