L'AMBASSADE DE LA COMPAGNIE ORIENTALE DES PROVINCES UNIES VERS L'EMPEREUR DE LA

NIEUHOFF, Jean.

Beschreibung

Leyde 1665, Meurs. Old velum, gold stamped, very good, few marginal tears neatly repaired, 2 parts in 1, 35 double page & 109 half page engravings, 134p., plate list, tall folio 24 x 38 cm., usual binding wear, spine cracks but solid.RARE . *** **** *** . . AN HISTORIC AND MONUMENTAL WORK . . PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED WITH COPPER ETCHINGS . . * A beautiful early work, magnificently illustrated, nearly 150 plates & engravings with extensive description of China. Nieuhoff was the chronicler and draftsman for the first Dutch Embassy there. In the mid-17th century, the Dutch were at the height of their power and wanted to gain trade access in the China Trade. In the face of great opposition they succeeded in sending merchants to Canton. Nieuhoff made drawings during his travel to Canton & Peking, and were used to make the first engravings of China to be published in England. This work is the record of the Dutch Embassy's efforts in China. These efforts were thwarted by Portuguese Jesuit intrigues. . * THE FIRST FRENCH EDITION: This First French edition consists of 290 pages of main text followed by: AVIS AUX CURIEUX. Copie d'une lettre ecrite en Batavie par NN. a Mr. N. Marchand de la ville d'Amsterdam, en date u 2. Feverier 1659, pp. 289-290. New pagination continues in the Seconde Partie: from page 1-134, with title: DESCRIPTION GENERALE DE L'EMPRIE DE LA CHINE. This is followed by a list of plates in parts I and II. . * The illustrations depict all of the major cities, the flora and fauna, manners, dress & curiosities of China. With a beautiful and original folding map of China by Nieuhoff. A rich primary source for early meetings between the East and West. . * The work and its map were done by Nieuhoff, then copper engraved by Hollar. The count of plates differ between the various editions. There are various ways to count the plates, there is no standard, we count them as 'full page' and as 'text plates' which seems logical. Some 'full page' plates actually have two illustrations on them. The actual location of some of the full-page plates will also vary, according to the "list of plates" issued with this book. This is entirely normal. . *** This early account of China covers a wide variety of subjects including a large section on newly discovered plants, herbs and fruits of South China. It begins with a double page copper etched map of all China, Corea [Korea], part of Japan, Formosa, South to the Kingdom of Cannan [Annam or old Viet-nam], Tartary. It includes and shows the outlined provinces with rivers noted, and the small cities along the great rivers; lakes, animals, flora and fauna. Additionally covers landscapes, views of villages, temples, people &c. . *** >>>> ================================================= REGARDING THE "AMBASSADEUR" COPPER ETCHED PLATE ONLY: . This example contains a key with 11 people identified in the print: 1. De Ambassadeurs 2. Miates fleevoogd Obirrham Giantoudono 3. 't Hollandsche gevolg 4. Vier Scheeps trompetters 5. Stadt-hoursers gevlog 6. Des Selfs Novimons 7. Speel tuyden 8. Bufdragers 9. Ruytery 10. De Zee 11. Het Strand . *** Color photos are posted to our website. . *** CONDITION: The etching is nicely executed with plate mark in the right near the margin. . There are some very old small mends to the verso reinforcing tiny closed tears. The work is now solid and firm. . Please review photos: cover.jpg & illus04.jpg posted to our website for more details. . End details of the "AMBASSADEUR" print. *** >>>> =================================================== . *** THE TEXT & COPPER-ETCHED PLATES: Major cities such as Canton, Nan-an, Kan-Chou, Nanking, Kiu Kiang, An King, Wuhu, Yang Chow are nicely illustrated and described. Peking also are carefully described and noted, with key & distance chart of miles. A meticulous description of the people, laws, customs, provinces given in much detail. The work is lavishly illustrated with fine examples. Each edition of this title had variant numbers o. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 90050001

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Titel: L'AMBASSADE DE LA COMPAGNIE ORIENTALE DES ...