Bound in 18th century speckled calf, now repaired at the spine ends and joints, this ex-Elmley Castle copy was a scarce coloured example of a work that details important events in Holland in the 20 years from 1627, as well as offering a history of Dutch adventures in the New World, including Cuba, northern Brazil and the capture of Olinda. Plates include fine views of naval engagements, among them one that took place off Havana.
Sold for £30,000 to a dealer at Bonhams on July 15 (as part of a major natural history collection) was a fine copy in red half morocco gilt of Rugendas’ Voyage pittoresque dans le Bresil of 1853 with its 100 coloured litho plates.
Coloured new worlds
WITH the frontispiece and all but the last of the 34 double-page or folding engraved plates and plans in full contemporary colour, Isaac Commelin’s Histoire de la Vie & Actes memorables de Frederic Henry de Nassau, Prince d’Orange of 1656 sold for $32,000 (£17,580) in a Christie’s New York sale of June 9.
