Bosman, Willem (b. 1672).

Estimate

1,000 - 1,500 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

A new and accurate description of the coast of Guinea. London: for J. Knapton, A. Bell, R. Smith, D. Midwinter, W. Haws, W. Davis, G. Strahan, B. Lintott, J. Round, and J. Wale, 1705, 8vo (191 x 113mm.), [8], 493 [i.e. 501], [19 (including 3 of advertisements)] pp., illustration: engraved folding map by Herman Moll, 7 engraved plates, binding: contemporary panelled calf, spine gilt in compartments, brown morocco lettering-piece, [Goldsmiths 4153], spotting, binding worn

Smith, William (fl. 1726-1742). A new voyage to Guinea: describing the customs, manners... habitations, diversions, marriages, and whatever else is memorable among the inhabitants. London: John Nourse, 1744, 8vo (202 x 109mm.), iv, 276, [8]pp., illustration: engraved frontispiece and 4 engraved plates, binding: contemporary calf, gilt fillet and dog-tooth border, spine in compartments gilt, [Sabin 84559], light spotting, binding worn

together 2 volumes

Literature

H.M. Feinberg, "An Eighteenth-Century Case of Plagiarism: William Smith's A New Voyage to Guinea", History in Africa, 6 (1979), 45-50; Adam Jones, "William Smith the Plagiarist: A Rejoinder", History in Africa, 7 (1980), 327-328

Catalogue Note

Two detailed and interestingly illustrated accounts of Africa's west coast. Bosman was Chief Factor for the Dutch at the castle of São Jorge de Elmina. His work is written in the form of letters and, as well as providing an unflattering view of the "very fraudulent and crafty, idle and careless" natives, describes the forts and factories of the coast. Smith's later account is rather more derivative, although he did have first-hand experience as a surveyer with the Royal African Company.