Written originally in High German, by Peter Kolben, A.M. Done into English, from the Original, by Mr. Medley. Illustrated with Copper Plates.
First English Edition: 2 Volumes: I. xviii + 365. II. xviii + 363 pages, engraved frontispiece in each volume (in volume 2 a portrait of Peter Kolben), 28 engraved plates - 2 folding, folding map, bound in full sprinkled calf with red title labels and gilt decorations on the spines, bookplates of the South African Archaeological Society on the front paste-down endpapers, contents crisp, a very good set.
Volume II, sub-title reads: Containing : The Natural History of the Cape; or, A Particular Description of all the Sorts of Animals and Vegetables in that Neighbourhood, as of beasts, birds, insects, sea- and river-fish, trees, shrubs, plants, herbs, roots and flowers. Likewise an account of the mineral productions and of the sea-, river-, and spring-waters there. Together with some observations on the Cape-winds and air. To which is prefix’d a topographical account of the colonies there, as of their extent, rivers, springs, mountains roads, places of note &c.
A South African Bibliography volume, 3 page 7: The work is “not so properly a translation as an Abridgement of Mr Kolbe's History” The plates are based on those in the 1719 German edition. Volume I contains the plates depicting Hottentot customs, volume II the natural history illustrations.
Kolb is best remembered for his book Caput Bonae Spei Hodiernum, das ist vollständige Beschreibung des Afrikanischen Vorgebürges der Guten Hoffnung …, which was published in Nuremburg in 1719. It is divided into three parts: the first describes the three natural kingdoms at the Cape, the second the customs of the Cape Khoikhoi, or Hottentots as they were called at that time, and the third is on the government and way of life of the Whites at the Cape. It was translated into Dutch in 1727, French in 1742 and appeared in English in 1731.
He describes Cape Town in volume I, pages 4-5, "Several beautiful country seats, vineyards and gardens are to be seen on almost every side of the Table-Hill. The Company has here two very spacious, rich and beautiful Gardens. In one of them stands, erected at the Company's Expense, a noble Pleasure-House for the Governor, and near it a beautiful Grove of Oaks, called the Round-Bush from which this Garden (Rondebosch) takes its Name, being called the Round-Bush garden. The other Garden which is at some distance from this is called Newland because but lately planted. Both these gardens are finely watered by the Springs on the Table-Hill and the Company draws from them a very considerable Revenue." (https://www.uj.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/present-state-of-the-cape-of-good-hope.pdf)
- Overall Condition: Very good
- Size: 8vo (210 x130mm)
