Histoire Naturelle des Indes - The Drake Manuscript in the Pierpont Morgan Library

Klinkenborg, Verlyn (introduction); Charles E. Pierce Jr. (preface); Partick O'Brian (foreword); Ruth S. Kraemer (translation)

ISBN 10: 0393039943 / ISBN 13: 9780393039948

Published by Norton, New York, 1996

About this Item

W. W. Norton, 1996. 1st edition. First printing. Hardbound. A facsimile of the Drake Manuscript, an anonymous work describing and illustrating the plant, animal and human life of the Caribbean late in the sixteenth century. Preface by Charles Pierce; Foreword by Patrick O'Brien; and Introduction by Klinkenborg. Trans. from French. 150+ color plates. 7.5 x 12 in. New in a new d.j., a tight unread copy. Green cloth, gilt. Printed throughout in color. Preface by Charles E. Pierce, Jr. Foreward by Patrick O'Brian. The first full facsimile of the 16th century manuscript acquired by the Pierpont Morgan Library in 1983. It is a descriptive documentation of plant, animal and human life in the Caribbean at the time of Drake's many visits to the area. The association with Sir Francis Drake is uncertain, but possible, and, to that end, O'Brian gives a fascinating account of Drake the Voyager in the Foreword. A translation of the manuscript, by Ruth S. Kraemer, follows the facsimile. Natural history . FERRY. Seller Inventory # 5539

Bibliographic Details

Title: Histoire Naturelle des Indes - The Drake ...

Publisher: Norton, New York

Publication Date: 1996

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: New

Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

Edition: 1st Edition

About this title

Synopsis:

An extraordinarily beautiful portrait of the Caribbean as seen by Sir Francis Drakein full-color facsimile. By the end of the sixteenth century, Sir Francis Drake had made many voyages to the West Indies. He painted much of what he encountered although none of his own work survives. But he was known to have had French Huguenots on board, and from the hand of one, or more, came the watercolors and texts of an incredibly beautiful manuscript known as The Drake Manuscript or Histoire naturelle des Indes, presented here in full-color facsimile with English translations. In addition to illustrations and descriptions of the plants and animals of the islands, this extraordinary manuscript depicts early European encounters with the people of the Americas. It was not the virginal world Englishmen expected, as we learn in Verlyn Klinkenborg's informative introduction, but one already shaped and overlaid by two sophisticated culturesone Spanish and the other that of the now virtually extinct indigenous people referred to as "Indians." 199 paintings and texts document plants, fish, animals, and birds, as well as daily life and work among the inhabitantseverything from mining for silver and gold and diving for pearls, to wedding rituals and preparation for childbirth.

Language Notes:

Text: English, French (translation)
Original Language: French