Daniel Beeckman | A Voyage to and from the Island of Borneo, in the East Indies. London, 1718, first edition

Daniel Beeckman, annotated by George Edwards

A Voyage to and from the Island of Borneo, in the East Indies: with a description of the said island: giving an account of the inhabitants, their manners, customs, religion, product, chief ports, and trade. London: T. Warner and J. Batleu, 1718

FIRST EDITION, 8vo (193 x 118mm.), half-title, title with early annotations, 4 pp. dedication to Sir Gregory Page, 5 engraved plates (2 folding), 2 engraved maps (one folding), contemporary blindstamped panelled calf, spine in compartments with raised bands gilt, red morocco label, somewhat spotted,expertly rebacked, edges slightly bumped

THE COPY OF THE NATURALIST AND ORNITHOLOGIST GEORGE EDWARDS, with some annotations by him. This work describes Captain Beeckman's visit to South Kalimantan to gain a foothold for British merchants in the pepper trade. Unfortunately, his arrival coincided with a local civil war, which he describes along with the culture and indigenous wildlife. This book contains the first European reference to the Orangutan. A manuscript annotation on the title page by Edwards reads 'with the best Description of the Orang-outan'. The plate of the 'Oran-ootan' annotated by Edward's reads 'This Animal seems to be the same with one figur'd by Peter Van der AA' Book refer to his book of figures in the Library of the College of Physicians Lond. Under Letter F2. 242'. There are also accounts of the Canary Islands, Christmas Islands, Cape of Good Hope and the Islands of St Helena and Ascension.

LITERATURE:

Hill 350; Cox Vol. I, 286

PROVENANCE:

George Edwards, Bedell (or beadle) to the Royal College of Physicians London, armorial bookplate to verso of title