DESCRIPTION DU CAP DE BONNE-ESPERANCE, Ou l?on trouve tout ce qui concernce L?istoire-Naturelle due pays; La Religion les Moeurs & les Usages Des Hottentoots, et L?tablissement des Hollandois

3 volumes. Early printing in French with the half-titles. 24 engraved plates plus 6 folding views and maps, title page printed in black and red. Small 8vo, handsomely bound in full mottled calf of the period, the spines with raised bands, decorated with gilt panel designs in the compartments, ruled in gilt on two red morocco lettering labels, marbled end-leaves, all edges red. xxiv, 428 + 8 plates; xiv, 262 + 2 plates + 6 folding views and maps; xviii, 320 + 14 natural history plates pp. A handsome copy in a fine period binding, some rubbing to the extremities and a bit of cracking to a few joints, antique library stamps at the titles, text-blocks clean and bright and fresh, plates in very nice condition, withal a pleasing copy.

Edizione: fine issue of the french edition replete with beautifully engraved plates. ?kolbe had been sent to the cape of good hope with letters of introduction from nicolas witsen, burgomaster of amsterdam, for the purpose of compiling an all-round description of south africa and for astronomical and surveying research. he lived and worked at the cape from 1705 till 1713. kolbe gives an exact and detailed account of all aspects of life at the cape, including its geography, climate, flora and fauna, followed by a highly interesting and accurate account of the hottentots from the author's own personal investigations, reporting on their language, religion, education and customs. the account on the condition of the colony of the european inhabitants is full of interesting observations not to be found in any other description of the country. kolbe's account was first published in german in nuremberg, 1719.?