The Relation of Alvar Nunez Cabeca de Vaca (the first European to cross the continent of North America)

First Edition thus. Deluxe Limited Edition printed by Grabhorn Press, San Francisco, 1929. One of only 300 numbered copies, this being number 244. Fine in a just about fine slipcase. Hand-colored decorations drawn and hand colored by artist, Valenti Angelo. Fin in publisher's original tan paper-covered boards; fore and bottom edges untrimmed. Internal content fine. Slipcase near fine, with only slight wear on the corners. Quite rare in this excellent condition. Preliminary essay by Oscar Lewis. Printed from the definitive Buckingham Smith translation of 1871. Quarto. [8] 122, [2] pp (including Notes & Addenda). A stunning copy of this important historical work.  

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was an early Spanish explorer of the New World who, along with three comrades, was one of four survivors of the disastrous 1527 Narvaez expedition. His remarkable westward journey was the unplanned result of this disaster and, through a serious of harrowing events over a period of eight long years, Cabez de Vaca became the first non-native person to cross the continent of North America. His travels and detailed accounts influenced both DeSoto and Coronado. 

More specifically, de Vaca and his companions trailblazed a remarkable journey and route from the coast of Florida, across what are now the Gulf States, through Texas and the northern provinces of Mexico, and ultimately to the Gulf of California and the Pacific Coast. For example, de Vaca and his surviving companions, after surviving the ravages of disease and the cruelties of numerous Indian tribes, were captured on the Mississippi coast and held in slavery for four years. They escaped as a group and eventually made their way across the Southwest. What is more, during his long journey, de Vaca became a trader and faith healer to various Native American tribes. Indeed, de Vaca is regarded by many as an anthropologist due to his detailed accounts of the tribes of American Indians he encountered, especially in the American Southwest.

After returning to Spain in 1537, he wrote the detailed account of his travels, first published in 1542 as La Relacion y Commentarios. Centuries later, La Relation was translated by Buckingham in 1871.