AMERICA -- MONTANUS, A. De Nieuwe en Onbekende Weereld: of Beschryving van America en 't Zuidland, Vervaetende d'Oorsprong der Americaenen en Zuidlanders, gedenkwaerdige togten derwaerds, (…). Amst., J. Meurs, 1671. W. engr. ti., 16 double-p. maps (incl. the fold. map of the Americas), 1 engr. portr. of the dedicatee John Maurice Prince of Nassau-Siegen, 5 (of 6) engr. portraits of the explorers, 30 (of 32) double-p. views and 70 engr. in text. Fol. Cont. cf. w. raised bands, dec. gilt back, gilt floral design on both sides. (Spine rep./reinforced, new endpapers, three plates lacking, last 2 lvs. in photostat, upper outer corner of last 29 lvs. repaired (with small parts of 1 map lacking, part of 1 text-engr. and of 4 text-lvs. in photostat), some (marg.) stains, a bit browned/foxed in places).
Highly important and scarce work on the Americas divided in three books: the first describing the life and the adventures of the first explorers (Columbus, Vespucci, Magellan, Atahualpa, Montezuma and Pizarro); the second is a description of North America, including many pages on New Netherland, and the third is devoted to South America, including a long chapter on Brazil. First edition, including the famous view on New Amsterdam/New York on p. 124 ("(…) the handsomest, and at the same time the most agreeable view of Dutch New York", Asher, p. 23). Borba de Moraes, 586: "It is incontestably a beautiful book, profusely illustrated, which has become quite scarce in the few last years." The author, Arnoldus Montanus (c.1625–1683) headmaster of the Latin school at Schoonhoven, compiled the book from other sources ("uit veelvoudige schriften bekend") as is mentioned in the dedication by the publisher. - Plates lacking: portait of Montezuma, the God Vitziputzli and view of Potosi. - Tiele 763; Asher 14; Sabin 50086; Palau 177491; Muller 1012; Leclerc 1026. - Sold w.a.f., not subject to return.€ 3000
result € 5500
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