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. All editions are scarce today. This is the title page of the eighth and final decada and features portraits of famous conquistadors and small views and maps of important battles. The focus is the civil wars after the conquest of Peru. At top left is a portrait of Pedro de la Gasca, the viceroy of Peru after Gonzalo Pizarro's violent takeover of the viceroyalty. To the right of the portrait is a depiction of the Battle of Inaquito, the conflict wherein the previous viceroy of Peru, Blasco Nunez Vela, was decapitated. Gabriel de Rojas y Cordova, the conquistador known as the Captain General of the Artillery of the Kingdom of Peru, is depicted at top right. At bottom are portraits of Pedro Alonso de Hinojosa and Diego Centeno, two conquistadors who fougt under La Gasca's command in the Battle of Jaquijahuana, which is depicted between their portraits. Other battle vignettes include the battles of Chuquinga and Panama. Below the title are the arms of the House of Trastamara. From the first edition, printed by Juan de la Cuenta (who also printed the first edition of Don Quixote), with a slightly cruder engraving style (note the walleyed conquistadors) than the slick early 18th-century editions.

References: Sabin #31544.

Condition: B+

There is light foxing and soiling, much of it confined to the margins. Two short archivally repaired edge tears just enter engraved image at bottom.