< Back

First French edition with newly engraved plates by Simon Fokke

KOLBE, Peter.
Description du Cap de Bonne-Esperance; Ou l'on trouve tout ce qui concerne l'Histoire-Naturelle du Pays; La Religion, les Moeurs & les Usages des Hottentots; et l'Establissement des Hollandois. Tirées des Memoires.

With engraved vignette on 3 titles, titles printed in red and black, fine engraved allegorical frontispiece, 5 folding engraved maps, and 25 full-page engraved plates, one folding.

With engraved vignette on 3 titles, titles printed in red and black, fine engraved allegorical frontispiece, 5 folding engraved maps, and 25 full-page engraved plates, one folding.

With engraved vignette on 3 titles, titles printed in red and black, fine engraved allegorical frontispiece, 5 folding engraved maps, and 25 full-page engraved plates, one folding.

With engraved vignette on 3 titles, titles printed in red and black, fine engraved allegorical frontispiece, 5 folding engraved maps, and 25 full-page engraved plates, one folding.

With engraved vignette on 3 titles, titles printed in red and black, fine engraved allegorical frontispiece, 5 folding engraved maps, and 25 full-page engraved plates, one folding.



Amsterdam, Jean Catuffe, 1741. 3 parts in 2 vols. Small 8vo. Contemporary calf, spines ribbed and richly gilt, with gilt crowned monogram CE or EC in centre on front covers, peacock fashion painted edges. With engraved vignette on 3 titles, titles printed in red and black, fine engraved allegorical frontispiece, 5 folding engraved maps, and 25 full-page engraved plates, one folding. (24), 370, (2); (14), 228; (20), 280 pp.

First French edition, translated and slightly abridged by J. Bertrand after the Dutch edition, published at Amsterdam in 1727 in two folio volumes. Bertrand's version was several times republished, and although the original edition had been in German, published at Nurenberg  in 1719, the present edition was also translated into German, published at Leipzig and Frankfurt in 1745. The maps and plates for the present edition were newly engraved by Simon Fokke, based on the originals but in a more elegant design. The monogram on the binding refers to C. Ekman, a descendant of the famous ambassador in Sweden, Louis de Geer. Peter Kolbe had been sent to the Cape of Good Hope with letters of introduction from Nicolas Witsen, Burgomaster of Amsterdam, for the purpose of compiling a all-round description of South Africa and for astronomical and surveying research. He lived and worked at the Cape from 1705 till 1713.
Kolbe gives an exact and detailed account of all aspects of life at the Cape, including its geography, climate, flora and fauna, followed by a highly interesting and accurate account of the Hottentots from the author's own personal investigations, reporting on their language, religion, manner of living, singular traditions, customs, marriage ceremonies, circumcisions, education, etc. The account of the condition of the colony of the Dutch inhabitants is also full of interesting observations not to be found in any other description of the country. Kolbe's account was first published in German in Nuremberg, 1719.

Good copy, with the bookplate of H.E. Driessen.- (Bindings rubbed, front hinges weak).
Tiele 606; Landwehr, VOC, 585.

Related Subjects: Africa  Cartography  Voyages 

Add to Shopping cart
€ 2.000,00

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

E-mail this to a friend







This is a captcha-picture. It is used to prevent mass-access by robots. (see: www.captcha.net)

Type the characters that you see in the box (5 characters). The code can include characters 0..9 and A..F.*

  


Antiquariaat FORUM B.V.
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