Lodewijcksz, Willem.

Neck, J.C. van and  W. van Warwijck. Le second livre, iournal ou comptoir, contenant le vray discours et narration historique, du voyage (Appendice, Vocabulaire des mots Iavans et Malayats). Amsterdam: Cornille Nicolas, 1609, 2 parts in one, ff. [1], 21, [8], illustration: both titles with large engraved plate, woodcut initials and illustrations in text, 23 engraved maps and plates in text, Javanese vocabularly printed in civilité type, [JCB ii 64; Alden 609.93; Carter and Vervliet 314; Nordenskiöld Collection 3, 601; Tiele-Muller 129]

Veer, Gerrit de (fl. 1570-1598). Vraye description de trois voyages de mer tres admirables. Amsterdam: Cornille Nicolas, 1609, ff. 44, illustration: title with large engraving, woodcut initials, 31 engraved plates and maps in text, [JCB ii 67; Alden 609.128; Nordenskiöld Collection 3, 704; Tiele-Muller 99], fol. 31 with long repaired tear (slightly affecting text and edge of engraving)

Noort, Olivier van (1568-1627). Description du penible voyage fait entour de l'univers ou globe terreste. Amsterdam: Cornille Nicolas, 1610, [2], 61, [1]pp., engraved view of Rotterdam on title, 25 maps and plates in text, woodcut initials, [JCB ii 71; Alden 610.79; Nordenskiöld Collection 3, 605; Tiele-Muller 19]

4 works bound in one volume, folio (340 x 240mm.), contemporary vellum-backed boards, a few gatherings loose, vellum becoming detached from spine, slightly soiled and worn

the third work is a major work of arctic exploration describing the three barents voyages for the discovery of the northwest passage to the Far East, two in company with Linschoten. The first (1594) sailed the length of Nova Zembla and then via Vaigatz to the Kara Sea, while the second was thwarted by ice which closed the strait passed in the previous year. The third voyage of 1596-1597, which occupies the majority of the book, is one of the greatest in the history of Polar exploration. After the discovery and naming of Bear Island and Spitsbergen, Barents parted from Rijp and sailed to Nova Zembla, eventually rounding the northern cape. Beset by ice, the company was forced to make the first recorded over-wintering this far north, after their ship was crushed, in a hut constructed of driftwood. The engraved plates provide a vivid supplement to the text, but do not illustrate the games of 'colf' (or golf) which provided exercise during the winter months. In the spring of 1597 the survivors with open boats sledged and sailed 1600 miles around the northern cape, down the length of Nova Zembla, and across the White Sea to safety at Kola, where they found three Dutch ships, one commanded by Rijp. Barents perished on the voyage, but de Veer, who had also been on the second voyage, survived.

The final work in this volume comprises Van Noort's voyage around the world. This was one of the most important Dutch expeditions to the East Indies, setting out from Rotterdam in 1598 and not returning until 1601. This was the fourth complete circumnavigation of the world, preceded only by Magellan, Drake and Cavendish. Among his exploits was a sea-fight with the forces of the Admiral of Manila, in the Philippines, then under Spanish rule. Of the four ships that sailed in 1598, just one returned in 1601.

For notes on the first and second works, see footnote to lot 3201.