Fleet Books, 1495–1500.

From the time of its founding, the House of Trade with the Indies was responsible for maritime trade with the American continent. The series of Fleet Books in the Trade Collection contains early information on the way in which this maritime trade was managed, from the late 15th century to the early 18th century. The image is taken from the cover of the first of these books, which contains detailed information on an expedition undertaken by four caravels, captained by Juan Aguado (a servant of the Catholic Monarchs, who held the position of bed-maker), which set sail for the recently discovered continent in 1495.