Rare Books
< Back
Prices in EUROS (€), shipping and BTW/VAT extra.
< Back
One of the main earlier works on the ancient history and geography of the Low Countries - the copy of Heribert Rosweyde
CLUVERIUS, Philippus.Commentarius de tribus Rheni alveis, et ostiis; item. De Quinque populis quondam accolis; scilicet de Toxandris, Batavis, Caninefatibus, Frisiis, ac Marsacis. Opus novum, ex veteri historia ac geographiâ contra aliorum errores, quibus antiquitas dictorum populorum perindignè hactenus obscurata fuit, summo studio atque diligentiâ collectum.      Leiden, Johannes Balduinus for Ludovicus Elzevier, 1611. 4to. Contemporary plain vellum, title later stamped on spine. With one double-page and 2 full-page maps, the double-page map coloured in outlines. Printer's device on the verso of the last lv ('Concordia res parvae crescunt Ao. 1595'). (16), 232, (10) pp. First edition of the first work by Philip Cluver(ius) (1580-1622). It is a scholarly study on the course of the lower Rhine, its estuaries and different mouths, as well as on the German tribes and peoples living in the area which is now called the Netherlands. In the same year it was also included in a combined edition with Petrus Scriverius's famous Batavia illustrata, a work on the same subject, published by the same publisher Ludovicus Elzevier (Willems 68). A Dutch translation by Flud. a Ghilde, was published in 1709. Philip Cluver was born in Dantzig in 1580. Having been educated at the Latin School at Dantzig he went to Leiden to study law. After a few years, however, he decided to devote himself to a great task: to compose a general history and description of all the countries known in classical antiquity, on the basis not only of the many (classical) literary sources available, but also - and that was very new - after having visited these countries personally. From 1607 till 1613 he traveled to Norway, Sweden, England, Germany, France and Italy. He wrote the present work in England, but it was published by the famous Leiden publisher Louis Elzevier who had specialised in geographical descriptions of different countries. Back in Leiden in 1615, he published his Germania antiqua in 1616 with the same publisher. The work yielded such a great success that the States General appointed him 'Geographus Academicus' on a salary of 500 guilders. After further journeys to Italy, together with Lucas Holstenius the later librarian of the Vatican, he published his Sicilia antiqua in 1619, also printed by Louis Elzevier. His Italia antiqua was published posthumously and was edited by Daniel Heinsius: Leiden, Louis Elzevier, 1624. The present work on the ancient geography and inhabitants of the Low Countries has played an important role in the process of 'nation building' of the Dutch Republic, which was in full flow at the time. A new interest arose in the nation's prehistory, as is seen from the large number of books published on Dutch antiquities in the beginning of the seventeenth century. A French 19th century expert writes on this work: " De tous ceux qui ont entrepris de concillier les divers témoignages de l'antiquité au sujet de embouchures du Rhin, Cluvier est celui qui nous parait, encore aujourd'hui, avoir le plus d'autorité; enfin parce qu'il était libre des préjugés ou des intérêts locaux ...". Our copy has a very interesting provenance: it was bought immediately after publication by the famous Jesuit Heribert Rosweijde (1569-1629), who entered his name on the title page: "R. p. H. Rossweyde 27 Apr. 1611"; added is the name of H. Strickius. Rosweyde started the publication of the Acta Sanctorum, later continued by the Bollandists. Apparently he bequeathed the book to the Jesuits at Douai, where he has lived for a long time: on top of the title is the inscription: "Collegii Societatis Jesu Tornaei". With the book-plate of Georges Montandon. Good, uncut copy.- (Some foxing and browning in the first lvs.).
Tiele 247; Willems 64 (cf. 68); J. Partsch, Philipp Clüver der Begründer der historischen Länderkunde (Vienna 1891); NNBW 10 (1937), cols. 180-2.
Related Subjects: Geography History Netherlands Add to Shopping cart |
€ 1.800,00
Prices in EUROS (€), shipping and BTW/VAT extra.
< Back
Terms of sale
All items are offered subject to prior sale. Prices are nett and in (€) EURO. VAT/BTW, postage, and insurance are not included.
Free shipping for orders over € 2,500. EU customers: if applicable, please quote your VAT number when placing orders.
Preferred mode of payment: by credit card through our secure online payment service, which is facilitated by Ogone. If you wish to make other arrangements, please contact us. Terms of sale
All items are offered subject to prior sale. Prices are nett and in (€) EURO. VAT/BTW, postage, and insurance are not included.
Free shipping for orders over € 2,500. EU customers: if applicable, please quote your VAT number when placing orders.
Preferred mode of payment: by credit card through our secure online payment service, which is facilitated by Ogone. If you wish to make other arrangements, please contact us. Terms of sale
E-mail this to a friend
Antiquariaat FORUM B.V.
Tuurdijk 16
3997 MS t Goy-Houten,
The Netherlands
Tuurdijk 16
3997 MS t Goy-Houten,
The Netherlands
Phone: (+31) (0)30 601 1955
Fax: (+31) (0)30 601 1813
E-mail: info@forumrarebooks.com
Web: http://www.forumrarebooks.com
Fax: (+31) (0)30 601 1813
E-mail: info@forumrarebooks.com
Web: http://www.forumrarebooks.com