With more plates than usually recorded

Kolben, P. [Kolb, Kolbe]

The present state of the Cape of Good Hope. Vol. I. Containing, a particular account of the several nations of the Hottentots: their religion, government, laws, customs, ceremonies, and opinions; their art of war, professions, language, genius, etc. Together with a short account of the Dutch settlement at the Cape. [AND] Vol. II. Containing the natural history of the Cape; or a particular description of all the sorts of animals and vegetables in that neighbourhood; as of beasts, birds, insects, sea- and river-fish; trees, shrubs, plants, herbs, roots and flowers. Likewise an account of the mineral productions, and of the sea-, river-, and spring-waters there. Together with some observations on the Cape-winds and air.

Published 1731-1738
Item ID 62486
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London, W. Innys [and R. Mandy], 1731, 1738. Two parts in two. 8vo (19.2 x 12.0 cm). 765 pp. [xvii, (ii), 364; (xiv), 368]; two engraved frontispieces - one to each volume - being one portrait of Kolbe[n] and one view of Table Mountain, and, in Part I: four unnumbered plates (one folded), 13 plates numbered I-XI, XIII-XIV (one folded); in Part II: folded engraved map (of the Cape region), unnumbered engraved map (of Table Bay), ditto view (of the Cape), plates I-IX (for a total of 33 plates and maps). Uniform contemporary full calf. Boards with gilt-lined borders, spines with five raised bands, each bordered by gilt lines. Gilt numbers on spine. Edges speckled red.

The rare English translation by Guido Medley, from the original German by the naturalist and astronomer Peter Kolbe, or Kolb (here spelled Kolben) (1675-1726). The descriptions of the fauna, flora, and local people are quite detailed and accurate. This is a mixed edition, of the first (Part I) and second (Part II) edition. The work is well-illustrated but the plate numbering is quite erratic. In the first volume there is no plate numbered XII, but no such plate is present in any copy that we have seen. The unnumbered plates present here seem to be lacking in other copies, which have only 28 plates. Perhaps these plates were added to the second edition only, or to this copy only. Some text parts rather age-toned, and the boards rather rubbed and dry; inscription in the lower margin of Volume I erased. Otherwise a very good, clean set. Nissen ZBI records only the first, Latin, and Dutch editions.

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