NAAUKEURIGE EN UITVOERIGE BESCHRYVING VAN DE KAAP DE GOEDE HOOP

First Dutch edition: 2 volumes in 1: Vol. 1 xvii, 529 Vol. 11 iii, 449 (+ 89 page register or index), engraved title page in volume 1, and an engraved portrait of Kolbe in volume 1, added engraved title page in Vol.2, a large folding map and 5 further double page maps, 46 copper engraved plates including a double page view of Table Mountain and plan of the Company Gardens, bound in contemporary full vellum, tear in the margin of the plate at page 37 in volume 2 repaired, a few plates have been remargined at the top and bottom (it is not clear when this was done because the vellum is a very old binding if not the original and shows no sign of being restored or recased), overall a very good copy.

Mendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography, volume 1, pages 843/844:  'Exact and detailed description of the Cape of Good Hope, containing a very circumstantial account of the present state of that celebrated country, its settlements, harbour, fortress, form of government, extent, and the regions recently discovered in its vicinity ; together with an erudite description of the climate and soil of the territory ; of its animals, fishes, birds, plants, and herbs ; likewise of various prodigies of Nature discovered in the country ; to which is added a very accurately compiled account of the Hottentots from the author's own personal investigations : followed by a remarkable report on their language, religion, manner of living, singular traditions, customs, marriage ceremonies, circumcisions, and education ; also many other curious observations concerning the manners of the nation ; the condition of the colony of the European inhabitants, not to be found in any other description of the country.

 'Written with a strict attention to veracity, during a long residence in the aforesaid Cape of Good Hope, by Peter Kolben, M.A., who was sent to the Cape through a distinguished minister, with letters of introduction from the late Right Hon. Lord Nicholas Witsen, Burgomaster of the town of Amsterdam, for the purposes of this compilation, and for mathematical and astronomical research, and who afterwards became Secretary for Stellenbosch and Drakenstein, and is now headmaster of the celebrated school at Neustad. . . . Augmented and embellished with useful, new, and curious maps and many illustrations.

'The best Dutch edition, with excellent full-page engravings and a fine portrait of Kolbe.'