First and only edition of Herckmans's Der zee-vaert lof (In praise of sea voyages), in Dutch, with one of the very few book illustrations by the great painter and etcher Rembrandt van Rijn (1606/07-1669), here in one of the "early impressions" noted by New Hollstein. The book itself is also of interest, with a long verse poem in six books in honour of voyages from Noah's time to 1632 in chronological order, with extensive marginal annotations, including voyages by Columbus and the other great explorers venturing east, west and to the Arctic. It forms a complete maritime history. It is followed by a short (9-page) poem in honour of ship travel on the Dutch rivers, with drop-title "Rhyn en Mase schip-vaerts lof", then a 1-page poem in honour of Cornelis Jansz de Haen in 1633. The preliminaries contain additional short poems and a 6-page note to the reader by the author, as well as laudatory verses by Barlaeus, Boxhoorn, Revius, Scriverius and others. The author, Elias Herckmans (1596-1644), was a naval officer-poet who had a successful maritime career, taking part in the famous expedition by the Dutch to Brazil in 1641, and ending as a vice-admiral. Basse's illustrations also deserve praise, though overshadowed by Rembrandt. Sabin quotes Stevens noting all "eighteen exquisite etchings". But the work is primarily and justly famous for containing one of the six etchings Rembrandt made especially as and appearing as book illustrations (in 3 books). New Hollstein locates only 1 copy of the Rembrandt print in its first state, preceding its appearance in the book, but it notes that "early impressions" of the second state still show the horizontal scratch across the mast and flag, which was already present in the first state but gradually wore away as the plate was printed in its second state. It is still very clear in the present copy, indicating that it is an early impression. As always in this state, Rembrandt's name has been partly burnished away, but in this copy it remains partly visible.
With the bookplate of Bob Luza (1893-1980), a notable Dutch Jewish collector, on the front pastedown. Manuscript annotation in brown ink on both pastedowns. Light worming throughout in the inner margin, only affecting the text block slightly on I1-K3 and T1-X3 and the etching on H4. Large repair on I4 and smaller repairs on E2, E3, F3, F4, G1, I1, I4, K1, K4, Aa3, Aa4, and Hh1. Missing bottom corner on L2 and L3. Light water damage in upper margin. Otherwise in very good condition. Borba de Moraes, pp. 398-399; Hollstein (Dutch & Flemish) I, Basse 49-65; Sabin 31476; STCN 842404627; USTC 1030006; not in Cat. NHSM; for the Rembrandt illustration: Bartsch 111; H. de la Fontaine Verwey, Uit de Wereld van het Boek, II, pp.130-131 (also in English in Quaerendo, 3 (1973), pp. 5-6); New Hollstein, Rembrandt 123.II.