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The most extensive, precise and complete descriptions of Java ca. 1850, beautifully illustrated

JUNGHUHN, Franz Wilhelm.
Java, zijne gedaante, zijn plantentooi en inwendige bouw. ... Tweede verbeterde uitgave.
Including: JUNGHUHN, Franz Wilhelm. Atlas van platen, bevattende elf pittoreske gezigten. − Behoorende tot het werk Java, zijne gedaante, zijn plantentooi en inwendige bouw.
Den Haag, C.W. Mieling, 1853-1854. 4 text volumes and 1 plates volume. Large 8vo (26 x 17.5 cm: text volumes 1-4) and large folio (44 x 31.5 cm: plates volume). Each text volume with a lithographic title-page, vol. 1 with the text blue on white and vols. 2-4 with the text white on buff; the plates volume with a double-page letterpress title-page. Further with 12 double-page chromolithographed or double-tinted lithographed views: 1 as frontispiece to vol. 1 and 11 (43 x 58 cm; image 31 x 43 cm to 38 x 54 cm, 5 numbered VII, VIII, X, XI & XV) in the atlas volume; most in black, buff and blue and at least most drawn by Junghuhn and lithographed by Mieling (all but the frontispiece signed by the latter), and 51 black and white lithographic plates (45 folding) with topographic maps, views, cross-sections, etc. Contemporary half red sheepskin(?), (text vols.) and goatskin morocco (atlas vol.), gold-tooled spines. Bound by Hendrik Willem Ywema (1828-1905) in Utrecht. 16, VIII, 17-671; XII, 538; 539-1432; VIII, 498 pp. plus title-pages & plates.
€ 32,500
Best edition (the second, revised and expanded from the first edition of 1850-1853) of an essential standard work on Indonesia, with an extraordinary wealth of information, beautifully illustrated, with much of the text and illustrations by the great German naturalist (Friedrich) Franz Wilhelm Junghuhn (1809-1864), who served the Dutch army in the East Indies as surgeon and scientist from 1835 to 1864.
The list of plates (vol. 4, pp. 487-491) is rather difficult to follow: it seems to suggest that some of the plates should be cut up and their figures inserted facing various pages, moreover it calls for Garoet figs. 1-4, while the present copy and all others we know have only Garoet fig. no. 1 (together with other figures in a folding plate). Widaï fig. 1 and Diëng fig. 3 are also never present, as far as we know. Otherwise, the present set includes all plates called for in the list. Bastin & Brommer note two different states for five of the colour plates, but the present copy adds a sixth: Kawa Patoeha in the present copy is unnumbered, while Bastin & Brommer record it only with the number XIV.
With a large tear into the image of 1 black and white folding plate, a small drop of glue(?) near the foot of the image in one colour plate, and a few small marginal tears or stains. Many of the plates are discoloured on the back of the image area, not affecting the images themselves. The double-page title-page for the plates volume (rarely present) has had its margins cut away to leave the text on a large oval, which has been mounted on plain paper. The front hinge of the atlas volume shows some cracks and the bindings generally show minor wear or small scuffs around the extremities but are otherwise in very good condition, with the tooling clear. An essential work for any collection on Indonesia and the Dutch East Indies, here in a lovely contemporary binding. Bastin & Brommer, pp. 28-29 & notes 451-467; Landwehr, Coloured plates 325; Muller, Gedenkboek Junghuhn (1910); Tiele, Volkenkunde 571; not in Abbey, Travel.
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Asia  >  Cartography & Exploration | Indonesia | Natural History
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