Brussel, Nationaal Aardrijkskundig Genootschap, [N.D. but 1885] [AND] Batavia, Landsdrukkerij, 1884-1885. Two parts in two. Atlas: Very large oblong portfolio (40.0 x 59.0 cm), title page, index (contents), and 25 fine chromolithographs, finished by hand, on nine plates. Original red cloth with gilt short-title on the front board. Patterned endpapers. Text volume: 8vo (25.7 x 17.4 cm). 693 pp. [viii, 100; xxxix, 546]. Slightly later green half cloth over marbled boards. Spine with gilt title. Brown endpapers.

Written by the Dutch geologist and vulcanologist Rogier Diederik Marius Verbeek (1845-1926). The work deals with the cause and results of the (in)famous 1883 eruption of the volcano forming the island Krakatau (Karakatoa), which Verbeek witnessed, together with the subsequent tsunami, which killed over 36,000 people and is reminiscent of the 2005 Christmas sea-quake tsunami off Sumatra. The plates offer stunning views of Krakatoa, and other islands in the Sunda Strait, damaged by the eruption and tsunami. This set comprises the complete text and views. A later (1886) published album with maps is not included. The second text volume is very uncommon, al other parts are rare to very rare. Pictorial palaeontological bookplate of the Dutch vertebrate palaeontologist Dirk Albert Hooijer (1919-1993) on the front paste-downs, and his autograph in the top margin of the title pages. Some shelf-wear; album binding weak, the endpapers cracked; rear inner joint of the text volume partly broken, a few short tears to the lower margin. Otherwise, a very good set. Bastin and Brommer, p. 209 (not recording the maps).