Rare first edition of the "Zeeland Nightingale", perhaps the most intriguing Dutch songbook of the early 17th century, both from the literary point of view, as from the point of view of book illustration and printing. The work was intended to spread the glory of the province of Zeeland, and includes contributions of 18 poets born or living in Zeeland. Produced by the literal society of Middelburg, it showcases the cultural identity of Zeeland through love lyrics, devotional poetry, and moral verse. The work continued to inspire for many centuries, as the present copy was owned by the English explorer Frank Linsley James (1851-1890), and the Frysian art collector and notary Nanne Ottema (1874-1955).
The nightingale was a symbol for talented poets, and this work was to show the world that Zeeland was the place to be for modern artists. The initiator was most likely Jacob Cats. Contributions came from Cats himself, Anna Roemer Visscher, Philibert van Borssele, Adriaen Valerius, Johannis de Bruyne, and many others. Adriaen van de Venne contributed a love song, Zeeusche Mey-clacht, accompanied by a beautiful illustration of a well-dressed young man leaning over a stream and mirroring himself in the water, engraved by W. de Passe. At the end, to promote sales, a newly finished work by Adriaen van de Venne, the brother of the publisher, was added, Tafereel van Sinne-Mal. In this work is found the beautiful engraving of the "Middelburgsche Lauwerhof", the fine garden at the back of his brother's printing office, and in the accompanying song all things sold at his brother's bookshop are listed, such as maps and prints, paintings and lacquered ware, compasses and nautical instruments, watches, etc. Other fine and interesting plates are the mussel-seller, and the knife-grinder, especially dedicated to Magdalena de Passe.
From the early days, the province of Zeeland represented within the new Dutch Republic a cultural centre of its own. At the time, the most popular and respected Dutch poet, Jacob Cats, resided in Zeeland, and declared himself very satisfied with his Middelburg printer. Afterwards, Huygens had some of his works printed at Zeeland, then Anna Roemer Visscher came to visit, and exchanged poems with the Zeeland poets. Cats' brilliant illustrator, Adriaen van de Venne, also moved to Middelburg. His brother, Jan Pietersz van de Venne, had already established a flourishing business there as publisher and bookseller, allowing the Zeeland intellectuals, poets, and artists to meet.
With the bookplate of explorer Frank Linsley James (1851-1890), and the manuscript ownership annotation of Rev. Henry White of Lichfield (dates unknown), dated 1819, on the front pastedown, the ex libris stamp of Nanne Ottema (1874-1955) on the second flyleaf. The vellum is slightly soiled. The leaves are lightly browned, occassionally slightly foxed in the margins, the lower corner of the last 2 pages has been restored. Otherwise in good condition. Landwehr, Emblem and fable books, 588; Praz 540; Scheurleer pp. 149; STCN 831125780; USTC 1026749; Waller 1256; cf. Nagtglas, pp. 818-22 (on the Vande Venne family).