South America Gumilla, Joseph Historia natural, civil y geografica de las naciones situadas en las riveras del Rio Orinoco. Nueva impresion: Mucho mas correcta que las anteriores, y adornada con ocho láminas finas, que manifiestan las costumbres y ritos de aquellos Americanos. 2 vols. With engraved. Front, folded engraved map. Copper engraved map, 6 copper plates and 2 engraved illustrations. Barcelona, Gilbert y Tuto, 1791. XVI, 360 pp. (pp. 129-136 missing), 2 pp., 351 pp. Cl.-4°. Spring. Central binding with gilt-stamped fillet. Rtit. on leather label, blindstamped fillets, endpapers of pulled stone marbled paper and marbled edges. Cut. Significantly revised, early edition of Gumilla's pioneering work on the natural history of the Orinoco. - Sabin, J. Dictionary of books relating to America from its discovery to the present time, vol. VII, 29277 - Palau y Dulcet, A. Manual del librero hispano-americano, vol. 3, p. 433 (knows only a French edition of 1758). - Posthumously published, revised and corrected edition of the work on the South American river first published in Madrid in 1741. The Jesuit Joseph Gumilla spent over thirty years as a missionary in what is now Colombia and Venezuela, where he also introduced coffee in 1735. His work on the Orinoco was long regarded as an indispensable reference work for naturalists, including Alexander von Humboldt. "The work of Father Gumilla is one of the most curious and interesting hitherto published upon the country of the Orinoco" (Sabin). In addition to articles on the population, administration, customs (e.g. polygamy) and habits of the natives, it also contains numerous notes on flora and fauna, as well as a chapter on the poisons used by the indigenous people. - The map, drawn in great detail by Gumilla himself, shows the Jesuit missions along the course of the river. - One quire with text pages 129-136 missing - Spine with defects, front joints cracked in upper third, front cover of vol. 2 with damaged area, corners, edges and joints rubbed. Text pages clean, the plates complete and bound as stated in the plate catalogue, with strong engravings and fresh. South America. - {With frontispiece, folding map, 6 plates as well as 2 vignettes, all copper engraved}. - {Posthumously published, revised and corrected edition of this core work on the South American river}, first published in Madrid in 1741. The Jesuit Joseph Gumilla spent over thirty years as a missionary in what is now Colombia and Venezuela, where he also introduced coffee in 1735. His work on the Orinoco was long regarded as an indispensable reference work for scholars, including Alexander von Humboldt. 'The work of Father Gumilla is one of the most curious and interesting hitherto published upon the country of the Orinoco' (Sabin). In addition to accounts on population, administration, customs (e.g. polygamy) and habits of the natives, it also contains numerous notes on flora and fauna, as well as a chapter on poisons used by the indigenous people. - The map, drawn in great detail by Gumilla himself, shows the Jesuit missions along the course of the river. - One sheet with text pages 129-136 missing. - Spine with faults at top, front joints of both volumes cracked in upper third, front cover of vol. 2 with fault, corners, edges and joints worn. Text pages clean, the plates complete and bound as stated in the text, with strong engravings and fresh. This lot is taxed. A premium of 24.95% will be added to the hammer price and 7% (books, art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, silkscreens, offset prints, photographs) to the final invoice amount in the European Union. This work is subject to the regular margin scheme. There is a 24.95% buyer's premium on the hammer price and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offsetprints and Photographs) on the final invoice amount in the European Union.