DAPPER, Olfert (1639-1689) - Naukeurige Beschryving van Asie. Amsterdam: J. van Meurs, 1680. First edition of Olfert Dapper's important description of the Middle East. The first part is devoted to Mesopotamia or Algizira, Babylonia, Assyria and Anatolia, while the second is entirely devoted to Arabia. The work is especially important for the original and new information on Islam, Arabic science, astronomy, philosophy and historiography. The fine plates and illustrations include views of Mount Sinai, Baghdad, Basra, Nineveh, Abydos, Smyrna, Aden, Muscat and Mocha. The second part includes a description of coffee: "In Arabia Felix alone, and in no other place of the whole world, there grows a seed or corn or bean shrub which the Arabs call 'Bon' or 'Ban', of which they prepare a drink by cooking it in water over the fire" (part 2, pp. 61-62). A fine copy. 2 parts in one volume, elephant folio and 4to (381 x 245mm). Additional engraved title, title in red and black with woodcut device, 16 double-page engraved plates of which one folding, numerous engraved illustrations (without *4 possibly blank?, occasional light stains). Contemporary Dutch blindstamped vellum, gilt title on spine label (lightly soiled, front hinge partly cracked).


Estimate € 1,800 - 2,500

Sold € 1,600

TOP