In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. A year later the legendary explorer wrote an astounding letter announcing his discovery of America. Now a rare Latin translation of that letter will be offered for auction by Christies, 530 years later, in a sale expected to fetch up to $1.5 million.

In the original letter, written after his return to Europe, Columbus told Spanish royal treasurer Luis de Santángel: “I know you will be rejoiced at the glorious success that our Lord has given me in my voyage.” He added: “I write this to tell you how in thirty-three days 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."