Het Gezantschap der neêrlandtsche oost-indische Compagnie, aan den grooten Tartarischen Cham, Den tegenwoordigen Keizer van China [.].

2 parts in one volume. Engraved title page, letterpress title in red and black, 2 armorial engraved plates, 2 ff. of dedication, 208 pp. 258, (10) pp. With 111 engravings in the text, 1 folding engraved map, and 35 double-page-sited engraved plates. Full calf, spine and covers stamped in blind, spine label. Folio. Second Dutch edition (previously published in 1665) of this description of the 1655-57 embassy of Peter de Goyer and Jacob de Keyzer, with a general account on China in part 2. The plates show views (including Batavia, Canton, Macao, Nanjing, and Beijing), plans, costumes, flora and fauna etc. - "The Dutch, being at the height of their power, having supplanted the Portuguese, desired to gain access to China and a portion of the Chinese trade. After much opposition the Government succeeded in sending merchants to try the pulse of the Chinese at Canton. Upon their report it was determined to despatch ambassadors from Batavia to the Court of Peking to solicit liberty to trade. This is the embassy written up by Nieuhoff, who was steward to the ambassadors" (Cox). - The selection of plates varies from copy to copy. The present one contains two engraved armorial plates not called for in the list of plates, but not the portrait (not mentioned there either) and also lacks the plate "Paolinxi". - Hardly browned of soiled; insignificant edge flaws at beginning and end. Map wrinkled, waterstained and with repaired edge tears. - Cat. Nederl. Hist. Scheepvart Mus. 499. Cordier, BS 2345. Graesse IV, 675. Tiele 800. Cf. Boucher de la Richarderie V, 297; Cox I, 325; Henze III, 612.