12mo, (127 × 70 mm). 12 ff., 329 ff., 1 ff.; O7 and Bb4-6 blank as normal, divisional title pages. Contemporary vellum reused from another binding (ruled), spine lettered in ink ‘Araucana’, yapp edges, toned, rubbed and worn, hinge of front board starting, worming through lower pastedown. Title-page repaired and stained, toned, lower margin of K6 trimmed affecting catchword and signature.

The veracity and accuracy of the events narrated by Ercilla is also to be commended, he was well aware of the norm demanded to the chroniclers of the Indies: truth in what was seen and lived “adtestatio rei visae”. This is the third complete edition, and a rare Perpinan printing, which comprised the three parts, the first edition saw light in 1569, and only contained the first part.

Ercilla (1533–1594) was apparently distressed by the cruelty and brutality employed in the conquest and warfare with the tribe, and wrote the Araucana to express his feelings. The Araucana stands as one of the earliest poems dealing with the conquest of South American natives; furthermore, it is an early source of knowledge of the Chilean tribe, its customs, and warfare technics, as well as colonial officers posted to America.

The situation in Chile demanded the expansion south, deep within land of the fierce Araucanos, who needed to be pacified. The recently appointed Viceroy of Peru sent out an expedition to do so -which lasted from 1555 until 1562-, commanded by his own son, Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza; Ercilla first heard of the expedition from Alderete whilst in England, where he was as part of the group accompanying Philip to marry Mary Tudor. Ercilla´s adventurous spirit was awakened and shortly parted for Chile, participating in the young Governor´s campaign against the insurgent Indians from 1557.

This edition is rare, with no copies having sold at auction in over 50 years.

Sabin 22722.