Cermeño, Sebastian

3 manuscript leaves (each c.300 x 230mm.), signed by Francisco de Cabrera and Sebastián Rodríguez Cermeño, water damage on fore-edges with substantial loss of text, moderate wear on other edges; leaves numbered 33–35 in manuscript

See William Mathes, “El Galeón de Manila: Un contrato no cumplido de 1586” in Calafia, 3 (September 1989), 15-18; and the English version “The Unfulfilled Contract of an Unlucky Galleon Pilot” in Mains’l Haul: A Journal of Pacific Maritime History, 38:1-2 (2002), 30-35, which includes a full English translation of the document

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Sebastián Rodríguez Cermeño (c.1560-1602) was a mariner in the service of the united Spanish-Portuguese crown. He first came to historical notice as navigator on this voyage of the Santa Ana from Acapulco to Manila in 1586. Here he contracts with an Acapulco merchant, Francisco de Cabrera, who gives him 1000 pesos to purchase goods from Manila, agreeing to pay a 25% commission on profits.

The Santa Ana reached Manila successfully and set out for the return voyage to Acapulco with a rich cargo. However, the ship was attacked off Cabo San Lucas by the English privateer Sir Thomas Cavendish, who made off with all goods and stranded most of the crew on the coast, keeping Cermeño and a few others to help him navigate across the Pacific. In 1595 Cermeño would command another Manila galleon, the San Agustin, which explored the Alta California coast on its return voyage and was wrecked north of San Francisco with loss of all cargo.

No other Cermeño documents have been traced at auction, nor any other similar contracts for the early Manila Galleons.