Relacion Del Ultimo Viage al Estrecho de Magallanes de la Fragata De S. M. Santa Maria de la Cabeza en los Anos de 1785 y 1786. [Account of the Last Voyage to the Strait of Magellan by His Majesty's Frigate Santa María de la Cabeza in the Years 1785 and 1786].

First edition of this important work on the Strait of Magellan. Quarto, two volumes bound into one in contemporary calf-backed marbled boards with gilt tooling to the spine, morocco spine label lettered in git, engraved frontispiece portrait of Magellan, 5 large folding maps on heavy paper and 5 folding tables. An important work on the Strait of Magellan, the voyages described in this volume, under the command of Antonio de Cordoba, were made to assess the advisability of Spanish voyagers to use the Strait in voyages to the Pacific. So negative were his conclusions about navigation around Cape Horn and through the Straits, that Spanish trade was routed overland from the eastern to Pacific ports. The maps illustrate the various ports and trade routes. Hill 305. Palau 352514. Sabin 16765. In very good condition. A fine production of Ibarra's presses. Spanish printer Joaquín Ibarra made several important technical developments in press printing, book-making, typography and paper-making. In his printed work, Ibarra sought to achieve a perfect flow of harmonious type, inks, illustration, margins, and textures. He worked with the best painters and engravers of his time and, based on a secret formula he developed, the Ibarra ink gained a reputation for its exceptional quality and brilliance.