Epistolae Indicae. De stupendis et praeclaris rebus, quas divina bonitas in India & variis insulis, per Societate[m] nominis Iesu operari dignita est, in tam copiosa gentium ad fidem conversione [- Andrade, Diogo de Paiva de - De Societatis Iesu origine, libellus [...],- Societatis Iesu defensio adversus obtrectatores, ex testimonio, et literis Pii Quarti Pontificiu Maximi [...]].

3 works in one vol., 8vo: [24]-496 pp., [40], [5]-[11] ff. (1st title soiled, occ. sl. soiling or foxing in the begin. of 1st work, sl. marg. dampstaining, sl. larger at end, K in 1st work sl. browned).

19th-c. half brown cloth, marbled paper covers, spine with raised bands (scratching to front cover, corners and edges sl. used).

Very rare first edition, first issue, of an important collection of letters written by Jesuit missionaries in Japan and the East Indies, with some references to American Indians. Work II (also issued separately) is a defence of the Jesuit Order by the Portuguese theologian D. de Paiva de Andrade (1528-1575). General index and errata at the end. Woodcut mark on titles; woodcut papal arms on title of work III.
Ref. BB II:266:E-12. - BT 8249 & 3950 - STC Dutch 104. - Pettegree (NB) 16514. - Adams A-1021 (Pt. II). - Cordier, Japonica, 49-51. - Carayon (Jésuites) 576 & 2853. - Palau 215.586 (Payva). - Sabin 22704. - Not in Alden/Landis.
Prov. Old. ms. entry on 1st title.