Original letter from Columbus announcing ‘discovery’ of America goes on sale for first time

The explorer is widely thought of as an exploiter today, and didn't know east from west. But a version of his boastful missive is expected to fetch up to 1.2m at auction

In 1493, Christopher Columbus wrote a letter that would change the landscape of the modern world. I sailed to the Indies with the fleet that the illustrious King and Queen, our sovereigns, gave me, where I discovered a great many islands, inhabited by numberless people," he wrote after his return to Europe to royal treasurer Luis de Santangel. Of all, I have taken possession for their Highnesses."

The events relayed in the letter were the first report of a voyage that really did change the world", says Columbus biographer Professor Felipe Fernandez-Armesto.