Amsterdam: Jacob von Meurs. 1673. Binding: Full contemporary calf, expertly rebacked in matching style. Spine with 5 raised bands, gilt rules and blind motifs in compartments. Title in gilt on red label in 2. Front board edges with decorative gilt rolls. , Notes: First German edition, Keysersgraft. Translated by Olfert Dapper. Text in German.
Arnoldus Montanus (1625 – 1683) was a Dutch teacher and author. He published books on theology, history, and geography. Although he never left Europe himself, his work on the Americas “became a standard in Europe” and was widely read. The text remains a much sought-after text by collectors of Americana, chiefly for its plates.
There are 3 editions of this work: the original Dutch, Dapper’s German translation, and John Ogilby’s English translation. “The German edition is probably the rarest.” Cumming, 67: “The work by Montanus is one of a series under the general editorship of a Dr. Olfert Dapper, printed by Jacob Meurs of Amsterdam. The copyright for this volume was obtained by Meurs on July 28, 1670. … In 1673 the High German edition, the authorship of which is attributed to Olfer[t] Dapper, appeared, although the text is a translation of Montanus and the engravings are from the plates of Meurs. The German work was privileged in 1670 but was delayed for the Dutch edition and then for the Ogilby edition.”
The text remains a significant example of the European perception of the New World in the 17th century.
, Size: Quarto, Illustration: Complete with 125 total engravings, 70 in-text engravings, and 55 plates (including frontispiece), of which 29 are double-page and 17 are folding-out. With the rare large map of Americas, archivally rebacked with fine Japanese tissue paper. Mauritiopolis plate beautifully handcoloured. The in-text engravings depict scenes with Indigenous figures, costumes, battles, religious rites, customs, animals, plants, and cannibalism. Other plates show views of cities including New Mexico, Florida, Peru, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and more. With several maps. Arx Nassovii plate bound ahead of Arc Principis Guilelmi. Pagus Hispanorum inserted at pg. 160 instead of 169. Pg. 279 misnumbered as 276. , Pages: Blank (2). Frontispiece. Blank. Title. Blank. Fold-out map. Dedication (2). Note to reader (2). P. 1 – 658. Index (21). Plate index. Blank (2)., Category: Book Voyages General; Book Americas Central; Book Americas U.S.;. A near fine example of this first German translation and expansion (this volume with 658 pages compared to 585 in the 1671 Dutch edition) of Montanus’ monumental work on the Americas. The German edition “is much scarcer than the Dutch original.” Interior is clean and crisp. Item #B6782

Price: $22,500.00