Extremely rare series of views of the castle of Nieuwburg at Rijswijk, with an extra plate. The castle, which was owned by the Dutch king William III (1650-1703), was the location where the Peace of Ryswick was signed, the treaty that ended the Nine Years' war (1688-1697). This war was fought by France on one side, and England, the United Provinces of the Netherlands, Spain, and Emperor Leopold I on the other. As it resulted in major financial losses for all parties and little to no territorial gains, the terms were quickly finalised. The present work was likely produced to celebrate the castle and the end of the war. The beautiful, large plates were designed by Dutch engraver and cartographer Jan van Vianen (ca. 1660-ca. 1726), who is known for his detailed and accurate depictions of buildings. The present copy includes all twelve plates, as well as an extra thirteenth one that was likely produced for another work. According to Muller, this plate was made by Pieter Schenk (1660-1711).
The spine and boards are rubbed, lacking a portion of marbled paper in the lower right corner of the front board. The title-page is somewhat browned, with a small restored tear in the margin, the work is somewhat (finger) soiled in the lower margins. Otherwise in good condition, with all plates in fine impressions and with wide margins. Berlin Kat. 2240; Hollstein, XXXVI, pp. 185-187, 19-31; Muller, Historieplaten 2959 (only 12 plates, not mentioning our plate 2) and supplement 2964 (our plate 2); STCN 204283809 (2 copies, incl. 1 incomplete).