Folio, engr. title., 16 double-p. maps (incl. the fold. map of the Americas), 1 engr. portr. of the dedicatee John Maurice Prince of Nassau-Siegen, 6 engr. portraits of the explorers, 32 double-p. views and 70 engr. in text. Cont. vellum w. raised bands. (binding broken and used, some pages browned/foxed, small defects in margins, engravings in good condition, 4 first leaves loosing)
Highly important and scarce work on the Americas divided in three books: the first describing the life and the adventures of the first explorers (Columbus, Vespucci, Magellan, Atahualpa, Montezuma and Pizarro); the second is a description of North America, including many pages on New Netherland, and the third is devoted to South America, including a long chapter on Brazil. First edition, including the famous view on New Amsterdam/New York on p. 124 the handsomest, and at the same time the most agreeable view of Dutch New York"", Asher, p. 23). Borba de Moraes, 586: ""It is incontestably a beautiful book, profusely illustrated, which has become quite scarce in the few last years."" The author, Arnoldus Montanus (c.1625-1683) headmaster of the Latin school at Schoonhoven, compiled the book from other sources (""uit veelvoudige schriften bekend"") as is mentioned in the dedication by the publisher. - complete copy. Ref. Tiele 763; Asher 14; Sabin 50086; Palau 177491; Muller 1012; Leclerc 1026
