Linschoten, Jan Huygen van

Histoire de la Navigation de Jean Hugues de Linschot Hollandois: Aux Indes Orientales. [With:] Le Grand Routier de Mer. [With:] Description de l'Amerique. Amsterdam: Evert Cloppenburch, 1638 



3 parts in one volume, folio (11 7/8 x 7 3/8 in.; 302 x 187 mm). Three engraved titles, portrait, 6 folding maps, 36 plates and bird's-eye views double-page and larger, by or after P. Plancius, A. F. van Langren, H. F. van Langren or the brothers van Deutecom; first title lightly soiled and stained with tiny mends, occasional light dampstains or spotting somewhat heavier near the end, small hole in world map repaired without loss, a few other neat repairs at folds in plates without loss. Contemporary reversed calf, dyed green; light worming in spine.

Sabin 41373; Tiele 686-88; JCB (3) II, p. 271; Leclerc, Bibliotheca Americana 898

Histoire de la Navigation de Jean Hugues de Linschot Hollandois: Aux Indes Orientales. [With:] Le Grand Routier de Mer. [With:] Description de l'Amerique. Amsterdam: Evert Cloppenburch, 1638 3 parts in one volume, folio (11 7/8 x 7 3/8 in.; 302 x 187 mm). Three engraved titles, portrait, 6 folding maps, 36 plates and bird's-eye views double-page and larger, by or after P. Plancius, A. F. van Langren, H. F. van Langren or the brothers van Deutecom; first title lightly soiled and stained with tiny mends, occasional light dampstains or spotting somewhat heavier near the end, small hole in world map repaired without loss, a few other neat repairs at folds in plates without loss. Contemporary reversed calf, dyed green; light worming in spine.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Third edition in French, with commentaries by Bernard ten Broecke (Paludanus).  One of the most important travel books ever written, first published in Dutch in 1596, and later appearing in English, French, German and Latin. Linschoten travelled to Goa in 1583–1589 and sailed with Willem Barents on his second voyage to the Kara Sea in 1594–1596. His work contains all the knowledge of the East and West Indies available at the end of the sixteenth century, and was so highly esteemed that it was distributed to each ship sailing to India as a guide, no doubt accounting for the fact that so many copies are incomplete. Paludanus (1550–1633) a scholarly physician and curiosity collector from Linschoten's home town Enkhuizen, helped the traveler to prepare his account. 

Much of the book consists of translations of original Spanish and Portuguese documents on geography, ethnography, statistics, and navigation. The fine plates consists of maps including the world and South America, bird's-eye views of Goa and other cities, plus scenes of native peoples with and without native costume. This is a reprint of the 1619 Cloppenburch edition. The maps and plates are those of the Claesz issue of 1596.