Plan of Tenochtitlan and map of the Gulf of Mexico from a 1525 Cortés’ Praeclara Nova maris Oceanii Hyspania… of 1524, sold by Hartung & Hartung at €240,000 (£212,390).
An exceptionally rare, complete copy in a 17th century binding of Hernán Cortés’ Praeclara Nova maris Oceanii Hyspania… of 1524 sold for a six-times estimate €240,000 (£212,390) at Hartung & Hartung (20% buyer’s premium) in its November 6-7 auction.
The second of five reports on his Mexican campaigns that Cortés sent back to Spain and the Emperor Charles V, this record of his achievements and setbacks provided a valuable account of the Aztecs, their civilisation and their wealth, along with their practices of brutal human sacrifice.