Rare second and greatly expanded French edition of an important treatise on the trade and commerce of the city of Amsterdam by the art dealer Jacques Le Moine de l'Espine (d. 1696), first published in both Dutch and French in 1694. It gives detailed information on the Amsterdam banking and exchange systems and on the structure and trade of the VOC and WIC (Dutch East and West India Companies), and gives accounts of the whaling industry, trade in Russia, Scandinavia, the whole of Europe, and the Levant. It compares the volume and value of goods going in and out of Amsterdam with those of other cities. It also reports standard weights, measures and monies as well as exchange rates. The second Dutch edition appeared in 1704 with some additions, but the present French edition has further additions, including for the first time the entire second part (pp. 243-388) on arbitrage (the trade in bills of exchange and stocks) and exchange rates between the principal cities of Europe and Amsterdam, by the French-Basque architect and merchant Jacques Mondoteguy (ca. 1672/73-1739). The book gives valuable and detailed information about the trade with the Spanish, Portuguese and other colonies in a period when the Netherlands financed and operated a fleet of over 8000 ships.
With water stains in the first few and last few leaves (the latter with a few marginal restorations) and a couple worm holes in the gutter margin, but still in good condition. The binding is slightly rubbed and somewhat loose in the hinges but still good. A rare and important practical handbook for merchants trading in or with Amsterdam. Goldsmiths 4601; J. Hoock & P. Jeannin, Ars mercatoria II (1991), L26.6 (3 copies); NCC (2 copies); cf. Kress 1849 (1694 Dutch ed.); this ed. not in STCN.