London: M. Clark for J. Nicholson at the Kings Arms, in Little Britain, 1699.
Ti=Being a Journal of 3000 & 300 Miles within the Main Landof America, 4th edition [1st edition being London, 1648 in folio format]. Recently rebound in speckled calf, lovely folding map of Mexico, intact, w/archival backing. Hand- written notes in sepia on three pages by Thomas Gage, the son. Edges age-toned but untrimmed, some light foxing.
[case west 6]
4th edition London 1699
folding map
rebound in speckled calf
Thomas Gage was sent to Spain in 1612 to study under the Jesuits, who hoped he would join the order. Later, as a Dominican, he was smuggled onto a ship headed for the Phillipines in an empty biscuit barrel. He was disowned by his father and anathematized by the English crown, which forbade any of it's citizens to visit the Indies, his final destination.
For the next twelve years Gage lived in Central America, principally in southern Mexico in the Chiapas region and in Guatemala among the indigenous people. The Spanish possessions in the New World were at that time mysterious and unknown to the other European powers, even to the extant of it's geographical dimensions. In 1641 Gage returned to England, eventually becoming an Anglican priest, marrying, and publishing his memoirs. The first and second editions of his book set off a firestorm of interest in Latin America that led to more intense conflict with Spain.
This fourth edition has been recently rebound in speckled calf and
has the beautifully preserved map of Mexico and the Caribbean, decorated
with Indians smoking cigars and brandishing their bows and arrows. In
addition, this copy has a long inscription by the author's son, also named
Thomas.
