La Haye [Den Haag, The Hague], Pierre de Hondt, 1763. 4to (25.1 x 20.4 cm). [ii], 266, 300, 48 pp.; 56 plates (of fish, etc.). Contemporary half calf over speckled boards. Spine with five raised bands. Gilt title.

Rare and very well illustrated work on the history of Dutch trade, and government, and the natural history of the former Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia, bordering Papua New Guinea). The latter part contains faithful reproductions of the fish and other marine life of Valentyn (53 plates with 477 different species of fish, and five [three folded] plates with crustaceans, one folded plate with Mantodea and mammals, one with mammals and reptiles, and one with birds, including birds of paradise), and the illustrations of trees and herbs, mostly from the Hortus malabaricus, including the pine-apple, coconut palm, mango, pepper, etc.. The former part has the portraits of all the Dutch governors of the colony, including Pieter Both, Laurent Reaal, Jan Pietersz. Coen, Anton van Diemen and Karel Reniersz, to name a few, as well as plans, maps, and views of several islands and settlements, including many of the capital, Batavia (now part of Jakarta). One plate is a text written in Singhalese. The last 31 pages are titled "Considerations sur l'etat present de la compagnie Hollandoise des Indes Orientales, rélativement à sa navigation, à son commerce & à son gouvernement; & sur les moyens de remédier aux causes de sa décadence", written by Mr. Gustave Guillaume Baron d'Imhoff, ci-devant Gouverneur-Général, pour la Compagnie aux Indes Orientales. This work is dated 24 novembre 1741. This is one of the rarest parts of Prévost's "Histoire générale des voyages" and complete in itself. Prevost's name, however, is nowhere to be found. There are several similar-titled works, dealing with other Dutch travels in the region, but none contains such a great number of natural history plates. Boards and spine rubbed, hinges starting, gilt lettering abraded. Some leaves a bit age-toned, few spots, otherwise a very good, clean and complete copy. Dean III, p. 303; Sabin, 65404; Tiele, 103 (volume XX of the Dutch edition).