Istoria della Conversione alla nostra Santa Fede dell' Isole Mariane, dette prima de' Ladroni, nella vita, predicatione, e morte gloriosa per Christo del venerabile P. Diego Luigi di Sanvitores, e d'altri suoi Compagni della Compagnia di Giesu por Garcia, Francisco - 1686

A fundamental account on the Philippines, Ladrones and the martyrdom of Sanvitores. 1686. Naples. In 4to (206 mm x 155mm). 1 [blank] + 11 ff. + portrait + 663 + 1 [blank]. Contemporary Italian vellum over boards, spine with raised bands and lettered in ink, gently soiled, generally fine. A very good copy, occasionally browned, minor toning to some leaves. First Italian edition, translated from the original Spanish (1683) by Ambrosio Ortiz. This is the official biography of Sanvitores, written in order to produce evidence for canonization. Sanvitores (1627 – 1672) was a Spanish Jesuit missionary, recognized as founder of the first Catholic Church in Guam (the land being donated by local Chief Kepuha) and for establishing the Spanish presence in the Mariana islands (Ladrones); he arrived in Mexico in 1660 and in 1662 journeyed from Acapulco to the Philippines where he remained for 6 years, when permission was finally obtained for his mission to the Ladrones islands in the North Pacific, renamed Marianas at this time in honor of Maria Anna of Austria. A life of Luis de Medina, one of his companions martyred in the Marianas in 1670 was compiled from documents supplied by Sanvitores. His life ended abruptly, being martyred on Guam in 1672. A fundamental work, containing one of first detailed accounts of the Marianas in the Pacific; much also included respecting the Philippines and Guatemala. Illustrated with a fine engraved plate by Pesche, shows the martyrdom of Father Sanvitores, woodcut device on last folio. Sabin, 26591.