Chapbook-edition of the famous voyage by the famous Dutch VOC skipper and merchant Willem Ysbrantsz. Bontekoe (1587-1657), including the account of the voyage undertaken by another Dutch skipper and later commander in the whaling industry Dirk Albertsz. Raven (ca. 1589-after 1639) to Greenland. Bontekoe's voyage, which took him eight years, from 1618 to 1625, is realistically told in a vivid and imaginative style, and includes all sorts of curious details. It was first published in the middle of the 17th century, Waller calls it an "immortal work", and Buisman lists over 60 editions published between 1646 and 1930. Used as a school book for centuries, the story of Bontekoe still inspired 20th century authors of children's books, like the popular author and journalist Johan Fabricius (1899-1981), who published De Scheepsjongens van Bontekoe in 1924, which is still read today.
With the bookplate of the Buijnsters-Smets collection on the front pastedown, remnants of an owner's stamp on the title-page and some manuscript annotations in pencil in the margins of a few leaves. Browned and slightly stained throughout, edges are very slightly frayed. Otherwise in good condition. Buisman 261; Buisman auction 1205; Cat. Ned. Hist. Scheepv. Mus. p. 178; Landwehr, VOC, 401; Muller 838; Tiele, Mémoire, 201; Verhoeven-Verkruijsse, Bontekoe Bibliogr., 1810-1830-01; Waller 307; not in Scheepers, Boekenoogen, etc.; cf. Bibelebontse Berg p. 305.