First and only edition of an illustrated collection of occasional poetry in Dutch and Latin by the Amsterdam schoolteacher Jacobus Heiblocq (1623-1690). He was well acquainted with the most famous poets of his time, as illustrated by their laudatory poems published here. Heyblocq's poems were written for important occasions, such as weddings, funerals, birthdays, and births. The work has been illustrated with three engravings, all depicting the block of a pile driver. This is a reference to the author, as this block is known as a "heiblok" in Dutch.
Heyblocq studied theology at the university in Leiden in the 1640s. In 1650 he returned to Amsterdam to become a teacher at the Latin School, and was appointed rector of that school in 1670. He is mostly famous for his Album Amicorum, which he started in 1645. Due to his position, and his involvement in literary circles, his album became one of the richest examples of the genre, with contributions of many of the most famous authors, artists, and scholars of his time, including Jacob Cats, Joost van den Vondel, Jan Amos Comenius, Rembrandt, Govert Flinck, Gisbertus Voetius, Gerardus Vossius, and Caspar Barlaeus. Some of these contributions have been included in the present collection.
The vellum is slightly soiled. The pastedowns are detached from the boards, but the structural integrity of the binding is still intact, the leaves are lightly browned. Otherwise in good condition. Scheepers I, 106, Scheurleer, Liedboeken, 4224; STCN 843925868; USTC 1843682; Te Winkel III (1923), p. 524; cf. NNBW IX, cols. 351-2.