Straits of Magellan.- Sarmiento de Gamboa (Pedro) Viage al Estrecho de Magallanes...en los ãnos …

Straits of Magellan.- Sarmiento de Gambóa (Pedro) Viage al Estrecho de Magallanes...en los ãnos 1579. y 1580., first edition, 3 folding engraved plates, a few instances of underlining in red pencil, occasional slight damp-staining to inner margin, the odd patch of soiling, but an excellent clean copy overall, handsome contemporary crimson morocco with central Spanish royal arms in gilt, spine richly gilt in compartments and with olive morocco label, some minor rubbing and marking, g.e., [Sabin 77094; Hill 1526], 4to, Madrid, Imprenta Real de la Gazeta, 1768. ⁂ A naval mission turned voyage of discovery. Sarmiento de Gambóa, a Spanish navigator, was sent to capture Sir Francis Drake following his attack on the coast of Peru. Sarmiento attempted to cut off Drake's escape at the Straits of Magellan. Unsuccessful in locating Drake, he seized the opportunity to explore and map the Straits, returning to Spain to convince the government to fortify the region.