HEVIA Y BOLAÑOS, Juan de (ca 1570-ca 1623). Labyrintho de comercio terrestre y naval. Donde breve y compendiosamente se trata  de la Mercancia y Contratacion de tierra y mar, util y provechoso para Mercaderes, Negociadores, Navagantes, y sus Consulados, Ministros de los Iuyzios, professors de Derechos, y otras personas. Lima: Francisco del Cantro, 1617.
HEVIA Y BOLAÑOS, Juan de (ca 1570-ca 1623). Labyrintho de comercio terrestre y naval. Donde breve y compendiosamente se trata de la Mercancia y Contratacion de tierra y mar, util y provechoso para Mercaderes, Negociadores, Navagantes, y sus Consulados, Ministros de los Iuyzios, professors de Derechos, y otras personas. Lima: Francisco del Cantro, 1617.

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HEVIA Y BOLAÑOS, Juan de (ca 1570-ca 1623). Labyrintho de comercio terrestre y naval. Donde breve y compendiosamente se trata de la Mercancia y Contratacion de tierra y mar, util y provechoso para Mercaderes, Negociadores, Navagantes, y sus Consulados, Ministros de los Iuyzios, professors de Derechos, y otras personas. Lima: Francisco del Cantro, 1617.

4o (204 x 147 mm). (Some occasional pale spotting and browning, but generally very clean and crisp.) Later vellum, manuscript lettering on spine. Provenance: "FS" (brand on top edges).

A BRANDED COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION of the "First American work with substantial portions devoted to law of the sea and customs regulating sea-borne commerce" (JCB Maritime Books 459). A general encyclopedia of legal knowledge concerning trade by land and sea, it was drawn up for the use of merchants, agents, navigators, lawyers and consuls. It was reprinted nine times in Spain in the 17th century and fifteen more times in the 18th century, yet few copies of any edition appear on the market. By the nature of its subject, it clearly was an important and heavily used reference, and consequently has become rare, especially in fine condition.

It is also one of the few books to be first printed in the Americas and then exported to Spain. The book's printer, Francesco del Canto, was the successor to Peru's first printer, Antonio Ricardo. See lot 54 for Francisco del Canto's edition of González Holguín's Gramatica (1607). RARE: only one copy can be traced at auction in at least 100 years, sold Sotheby's New York, 5 May 1981, lot 257. Not in HAS, Salva, Kress or Sabin. Bell H-143; Medina, Lima 73; Palau 114526.

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