Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas was the official chronicler of the Spanish possessions in the Indies. His most important work, Historia General…, told across eight decadas that were originally published between 1601-15, begins with the history of the voyages of Columbus and includes events in America up to 1554, with the suppression of the revolt of Francisco Hernandez Giron in Peru. This is the title page of the fourth decada and features portraits of famous explorers and soldiers and small views and maps of important events and battles. In the upper corners are portraits of Diego de Almagro and Francisco Pizarro, conquistadors responsible for the Spanish conquest of Peru. Pizarro's travels through the region are the subject of multiple vignettes here. At bottom left is a portrait of Pedro de Alvarado, with a vignette next to it showing the battle of Utatlan, part of Alvarado's conquest of Guatemala. Diego de Ordaz, one of the members of Cortes's expedition, is pictured at bottom right. Next to his portrait is a scene of his ascent of the volcano Popocatepetl, an achievement that greatly impressed the Indigenous members of Cortes' outfit.

References: Sabin #31544.

Condition: A

A dark impression on a bright sheet with a bit of printer's ink residue.