Jakarta

Rare first edition of this uncommon atlas, featuring 9 maps printed in colour, either on single sheets, double-page, or folding.

Bound in modern half dark blue calf, smooth spine with gilt rules at head and tail, title in long, boards of handmade paper, marbled endpapers and pastedowns.

Minor foxing to the versos of some maps, three discreet repairs using small adhesive pieces to the margins of three maps and the title page.

Printed note on the verso of the title page: "Institut national de géographie, Bruxelles".

The maps depict: General View of the East Indies, Java and Madura (detached from the volume), Sumatra and the Riouw Archipelago, Banka and Billiton...

This critical survey of the Dutch possessions in Indonesia survives in three versions — English, French, and Dutch — without it being possible to determine with certainty which constitutes the original edition.

Only three copies are recorded in the CCF. 

Written at the outset of the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War (1780–1784), triggered by the early recognition of American independence by the United Provinces, this pamphlet seeks to highlight the weaknesses of the administration of the Dutch East India Company and the vulnerability of its possessions to a French or British attack.

In fact, hostilities quickly turned to the disadvantage of the Dutch, who in 1784 were compelled to...

First edition.

Work illustrated with photographic plates hors-texte including one as frontispiece.

Worming to spine which also has a tear at foot, handsome interior condition.

Rare.