Kolbe (Peter) NAAUKEURIGE EN UITVOERIGE BESCHRYVING VAN DE KAAP DE GOEDE HOOP Behelzende Een zeer

Behelzende Een zeer omstandig Verhaal van den tegenwoodigen toestant van dat vermaarde Gewest, deszelfs Gelegenheit, Haven, Sterkte, Regerings-vorm,Uitgestrektheit, en onlangs ondekte aanleggende Landen....

First Dutch edition: 2 volumes, 529 + 449 (+ 89 page register or index), engraved title page in volume I, half title page in vol 1, engraved portrait of Kolbe, a large folding map (strengthened at folds) and 5 further double page maps, double page view of Table Mountain, and 45 copper engraved plates, the front hinge has been strengthened in volume 1 as well as the preliminary end papers in volume 2, full contemporary vellum blind stamped on the upper covers and hand titled on the spines – the spine is split along the edges in volume 1, a very good set.

Mendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography vol 1 pages 843 – 844: Exact and detailed description of the Cape of Good Hope, containing a very circumstantial account of the present state of that celebrated country, its settlements, harbour, fortress, form of government, extent, and the regions recently discovered in its vicinity ; together with an erudite description of the climate and soil of the territory ; of its animals, fishes, birds, plants, and herbs ; likewise of various prodigies of Nature discovered in the country ; to which is added a very accurately compiled account of the Hottentots from the author's own personal investigations : followed by a remarkable report on their language, religion, manner of living, singular traditions, customs, marriage ceremonies, circumcisions, and education ; also many other curious observations concerning the manners of the nation ; the condition of the colony of the European inhabitants, not to be found in any other description of the country.

Written with a strict attention to veracity, during a long residence in the aforesaid Cape of Good Hope, by Peter Kolben, M.A., who was sent to the Cape through a distinguished minister, with letters of introduction from the late Right Hon. Lord Nicholas Witsen, Burgomaster of the town of Amsterdam, for the purposes of this compilation, and for mathematical and astronomical research, and who afterwards became Secretary for Stellenbosch and Drakenstein, and is now headmaster of the celebrated school at Neustad. . . . Augmented and embellished with useful, new, and curious maps and many illustrations.

The best Dutch edition, with excellent full-page engravings and a fine portrait of Kolben.