2806 - 3510: [Amsterdam and surroundings]. Pontanus, J.I.

83/2830 [Amsterdam and surroundings]. Pontanus, J.I. Rerum et urbis Amstelodamensium historia. Amst., J. Hondius, 1611, (8),292,(6),38,(3)p., engr. title, 4 (fold.) double-p. engr. maps, 2 double-p. plans, 1 double-p. plate of the Amsterdam stock exchange, 50 almost half-page textengrs. (incl. 17 maps), contemp. blindst. panelled vellum, folio. - BOUND WITH: Idem. Epistola Ad V.Cl. Buchelium J.C. Utraiectinum. Harderwijk, N. à Wieringen, 1634, (15)p., 8vo-size leaves framed in folio-size leaves matching with the size of the main work.

- Very fine copy.

= Nijhoff/ Van Hattum 252; Tiele 876; Sabin 64002; Alden & Landis II, 611/91; Chavanne 116. First edition of the earliest history and description of the city of Amsterdam, of great influence on similar publications of later date. But at least as important for the incorporated extensive accounts of Dutch maritime trade and early Dutch exploration and navigation ±1594-1611. It for instance contains the famous report of Willem Barentsz' voyages to the Arctic region in search of a North-East passage to Asia (1594-1597), derived from De Veer's Diarium nauticum as well as from Van Linschoten's Diarium, illustrated with 8 textengravings. For the earliest reports of the Dutch explorations of Asia, including the famous voyage of Corn. de Houtman as well as for the descriptions of the Moluccas (i.a. of Banda & Ternate), Cape of Good Hope, Madagascar, the Coast of Guinee (etc.), the chapters 24, 25 and 26 (p.144-218) are of the greatest importance. The fine engravings in the text, starting with no.17 to no.49, include early maps and views of Madagascar, Banda and Indonesia (i.a. Java, Bantam and Bali), and of its flora and fauna. The Dutch edition was published three years later in 1614. SEE ILLUSTRATION PLATE LVI.

€ (3.000-4.000)