Journal du Voyage de l'Inde Orientale. 1598

HOUTMAN, Cornelis de (1565-99). Journal du Voyage de l'Inde Orientale, faict per les navires Hollandoises [bound with] Appentis ou Journal du Voyage des Navires d'Hollande à Java. Middleburg: for Bernard Langenes, 1598.

First edition in French of an account of the voyage of the first Dutch fleet to the East Indies (1595-97) under Cornelis van Houten; the voyage established a sea route for the Dutch spice trade. It contains observations on local inhabitants, customs, trade, money, flora and fauna, a brief Malay dictionary, and details of topography. A first version was published in 1597 and subsequently revised and expanded in 1598 with translations from Dutch into French and Latin appearing the same year. All early editions are rare; ABPC records only 2 copies of the 1598 Latin edition and only the present copy of the 1598 French edition at auction in over 45 years. Alden, European Americana, 598/52 (calling for 40 lvs., not 42 as here); Mendelssohn pp.738-9 (other editions).

Two parts in one volume, oblong folio (172 x 250mm). Title with engraved vignette to each part, 16 engravings, comprising 6 maps (map of Bali full-page] and 11 views, woodcut maps and coastal elevations, one of birds, ornamental initials (Appendix leaf Bb1 in facsimile, 8 leaves rehinged, some marginal repairs, just touching image in first title, last leaf with repaired tear into text). Recased in old vellum. Provenance: [sold Christie’s 26 September 1997, lot 93].

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