Africa
Description
2 volumes in 1 volume, First German Edition, from Dutch, Amsterdam: Meurs 1671
Vol. 1: Umbständliche und Eigentliche Beschreibung von Africa, Und denen darzu gehörigen Königreichen und Landschaften/ als Egypten/ Barbarien/ Libyen/ Biledulgerid/ dem Lande der Negros/ Guinea / Ethiopien/ Abyßina/ und den Africanischen Insulen : zusamt deren Verscheidenen Nahmen/ Grentzen/ Städten/ Flüssen/ … und Regierung ; Wobey Die Land-Carten/ und Abrisse der Städte/ Trachten/ [et]c. in Kupfer / Auß unterschiedlichen neuen Land- und Reise-Beschreibungen mit fleiß zusammen gebracht Durch O. Dapper, Dr. ; Amsterdam 1670, 695 pages
Vol. 2 (tied): Eigentliche Beschreibung der Insulen in Afrika: Als da seynd Madagaskar, od’ die Lorenz-Insel, die Thomas-Insel, die Kanarischen-Inseln, die Inseln des Grühnen Vorgebürges, Malta und andere., Amsterdam: Meurs 1671, 102 pages
Part 1: 1 leaf, 1 leaf frontispiece (recto, engraved), 1 leaf title page in red and black (recto), 4 pages preface (III recto), 695 pages, 13 unnumbered pages (index and instructions for the bookbinder)
Part 2: Title page, 102 pages, 3 unnumbered pages (instructions for the bookbinder), 1 leaf
A total of 12 double-page maps (engraved), 30 double-page plates (engraved) and 56 engraved illustrations in the text. They show maps, landscapes and views of cities, as well as clothing, customs and traditions of the locals, rare animals and plants.
Pergmanent binding (traces of usage, foxed) with handwritten title on spine (slightly rubbed off), front cover inside slightly broken.
The general map is missing. Some text pages and folded plates with large fissures and missing parts, 2 maps strongly foxed. Pages 371-74, 607 in part 1 are restored, pages 90-100 in part 2 restored (pages 91/92 and 93/94 reversed), partly with loss of text. With partly strong damages by damp, signs of usage, 31 cm x 20 cm
Olfert Dapper (~1635/39 -1689/90) was a Dutch physician and geograph. His description of Africa (1668) is one of the most authoritative 17th century accounts on Africa published in Dutch, as it is mentioned by the Fondation Dapper in Paris. Translations appeared in English, French, and German. Dapper never traveled to Africa but used reports by Jesuit missionaries and other (Dutch) explorers.