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LEO, JOHANNES, Africanus. Historiale Description de l'Afrique, Tierce Partie du Monde. 20 woodcut text illustrations. [11] (of [16]), 412, [24] leaves; lacks the 5-leaf table of contents. 8vo, 17th-century vellum, recased, endpapers unobtrusively renewed; contents toned, occasional light marginal soiling and dampstaining, mior worming in blank upper inner corners at end, early 17th-century owner's inscription in lower margin of title, London Carthusian stamp on verso; modern morocco folding case. Antwerp: Jean Bellère, 1556
Second edition in French of a description of the geography, peoples, customs, and religion of North and West Africa, the main first-hand source for these subjects in Europe during the Renaissance and early modern period. The author (circa 1494-1552) was an Andalusian Moor raised in Morocco who travelled extensively in the region. He composed the work in Italian during a prolonged stay in Italy after having been captured by pirates in 1518 and presented as a slave to Pope Leo X, who freed and baptized him as a convert. It was first published in Giovanni Battista Ramusio's 1550 collection Delle Navigationi et Viaggi, and in Latin and French versions in 1556. Atkinson 109; Howgego I, A17; Penrose, pages 279-80.
