First and only edition of an important and magnificently illustrated history and description of Amsterdam, written by the celebrated Dutch historian Olfert Dapper (1635/6-1689). The plates include maps of the city showing its growth from 1400 onwards, a city view, and views of nearly all important buildings in and around the city, such as the old and new town hall, the Dam Square, the most important streets and canals, churches, squares, city gates, bridges, schools, the stock exchange, orphanage, houses for elderly people, the madhouse, fish market, and much more. The text covers politics, religious strife, trade in America and the East Indies, and is largely centred around the buildings depicted. The frontispiece emphasises the city's international nature by including figures representing the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East. It was the first great account of Amsterdam since Pontanus work (Latin 1611, Dutch 1614). The beautiful 1663 plan of Amsterdam that has been included combines two iconic city plans into one: Joan Blaeus 1649 plan and Daniël Stalpaerts 1662 plan engraved and published by Nicolaes Visscher.
Olfert Dapper was born in 1635 or possibly early 1636 in Amsterdam. He studied in Utrecht, but returned to Amsterdam after where he devoted himself to literary studies. After writing the present work, he began a series of very successful geographical and historical descriptions of various parts of the world. The most famous is his description of Africa (1668) which became one of the most authoritative 17th-century accounts on Africa published in Dutch (translations appeared in English, French and German). Within a few years Dapper also published works on China, India, Georgia, and Arabia.
With the bookplate of the Dutch book collector Hendrik Boekenoogen (1863-1933) mounted on the front paste-down, designed and lithographed by the Dutch artist Aart van Dobbenburgh (1899-1988). The work has been recased in the original binding, both boards are slightly stained. The work is lightly browned throughout. Otherwise in good condition. Alden & Landis 663/47; Bunge, W. van, "Geografie en filosofie. O. Dapper en de kring van Spinoza", in: De Kring van Spinoza, pp. 75-95; Haitsma Mulier & Van der Lem 141a; Nijhoff & V. Hattum 75.