This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2020
Rare 1578 first edition of ''Tractado de las drogas, y medicinas de las Indias Orientales'' (''Treatise of the drugs and medicines of the East Indies'') by physician and naturalist Cristobal Acosta. Burgos, Spain: Martin de Victoria, 1578. Bound in original vellum boards with leather ties, rare volume is complete with all woodcuts: title page featuring a portrait of the author, 45 pages of medicinal plants and herbs, and two pages of Asian elephants. Book also features woodcut initials heading each chapter. Acosta's tomb of therapeutic botany was highly important in its day, giving illustration to exotic plants, animals, herbs and spices from the East Indies during the Age of Exploration, including cinnamon, garlic, nutmeg, coconut, sandalwood, and pineapple, all relatively unknown to Europe at the time. There is even a chapter on opium (''muy usual, y necessaria''), and a chapter on Asian elephants, then described for the first time in a scientific publication. Book measures 5.5'' x 7.375''. Some faint dampstaining, worming to several pages towards the end, and expected age wear. Overall very good plus condition.