Letters of Amerigo Vespucci, and Other Documents Illustrative of his Career

Volume 90 of the publications of the Hakluyt Society (1894) contains letters by Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci (1454–1512).

Clements R. Markham (Translated by), Amerigo Vespucci (Author)

9781108012867, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 October 2010

180 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1 cm, 0.24 kg

The publications of the Hakluyt Society (founded in 1846) made available edited (and sometimes translated) early accounts of exploration. The first series, which ran from 1847 to 1899, consists of 100 books containing published or previously unpublished works by authors from Christopher Columbus to Sir Francis Drake, and covering voyages to the New World, to China and Japan, to Russia and to Africa and India. Amerigo Vespucci (1454–1512) was an Italian explorer who became a controversial figure. He made several voyages to South America between 1499 and 1502, and wrote accounts of these voyages to his patron. However the publication of two letters with outrageous claims attributed to him in 1502 and 1504 brought accusations that Vespucci was attempting to undermine Christopher Columbus' fame. These letters, together with other contemporary documents, are published in this volume to allow an independent judgement to be made on these claims.

Introduction
Letter of Amerigo Vespucci to a 'Magnificent Lord'
Letter of Amerigo Vespucci to Lorenzo Pietro F. di Medici
Evidence of Alonzo de Hojeda respecting his voyage of 1499
Account of the voyage of Hojeda, 1499–1500, by Navarrete
Letter of the Admiral Christopher Columbus to his son
Letter of Vianelo to the Seigneury of Venice
Letter of naturalization in favour of Vespucci
Appointment of Amerigo Vespucci as chief pilot
Chapters from Las Casas, which discuss the statements of Vespucci
Evidence respecting the voyage of Pinzon and Solis
Las Casas on the voyage of Pinzon and Solis
Index.

Subject Areas: History of the Americas [HBJK]