Four German-language editions from Hulsius’ collection of voyage accounts, chronicling early Dutch and English voyages to the East Indies.

The publishing enterprise of Flemish-born scientific instrument maker, linguist, and bookseller Levinus Hulsius (1550-1606) was inspired by Theodor De Bry’s celebrated series of voyage accounts. The first volume in the collection published by the Hulsius workshop appeared in 1598; and, although Hulsius died in 1606, his publishing project was continued by his widow and heirs, with 26 volumes ultimately completed, the last in 1650. These volumes were often printed in both German and Latin versions, in many cases in multiple editions.

Offered here are four separate German-language editions from Hulsius’ collection of voyages (Church 289 / 293 / 295 / 306). This group comprises second editions of the eighth, ninth, and tenth “Parts”, and the first edition of the fifteenth. All four are collated complete, and are very fine examples, housed together in a quarter morocco clamshell box.

Achte Schiffart oder Kurtze Beschreibung etlilicher [sic] Reysen so die Holländer und Seeländer in die Ost Indien von Anno 1599, biss Anno 1604 gethan; und was ihnen auff denselben begegnet. Zusammen gebracht durch Weyland Leuinum Hulsium. Frankfurt am Mayn : durch Matthis Beckern, in Verlegung Leuini Hulsii Wittib.,1608. Small quarto, modern marbled paper wrappers; title with engraved vignette, and an inscription in Latin by the book’s second owner, dated 1716, stating that he had inherited it from Father Malachias (?)Talhaimb, Professor at Osek (in present-day Slovenia), and that he is now placing it in the library of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary of Osek Monastery; pp. 56, with 7 maps and plates (2 folding).

Church 289.

Second edition of the eighth “Part”, documenting the Dutch expeditions to the East Indies made between 1599 and 1604. The second edition is greatly revised from the first of 1605, with many parts of the text rewritten and additions made from other accounts. The engraved views include the island of St. Helena with naval battle in foreground; the island of Mauritius and on same page a scene depicting amongst other subjects a dodo, angling, spearing and netting fish, and hunting birds; a naval battle off Bantam in Java; and another battle off Amboyna. There is also a folding map of Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Moluccas, and maps of Amboyna and of Ternate and neighbouring islands.

Neundte Schiffart, das ist: Gründliche Erklärung, was sich mit den Holl-und Seeländern in Ost-Indien Anno 1604. und 1605. unter dem Admiral Steffan von der Hagen zugetragen, und wie sie endlich in jünst abgeloffenem Aprili mit zwey Schiffen in Hollandt ankommen. Franckfurt am Mayn : bey Erasmo Kempffern, in Verlegung Levini Hulsii seligen Wittiben, 1612. Small quarto, modern marbled paper wrappers; title with engraved vignette; pp. 48, with a folding map and 4 plates (2 folding).

Church 293.

Second edition of the ninth “Part”, covering the 1604-05 expeditions of Steven van der Hagen (1563-1624), the first admiral of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The large, detailed map stretches from Arabia, Persia and the Maldives all the way across to Japan, the Ladrones and New Guinea. The engravings include plans of the island of Mozambique, Goa, and Ambon, and a view of the Dutch fleet attacking the Portuguese fort on Tidore, the scene dominated by the island’s smoking volcano.

Zehende Schiffart oder Reyse der Holländer und Seeländer in Ost-Indien, beschehen unter dem Admiral Cornelis Matelief dem Jungen / so mit Eylff grossen Schiffen Anno 1605, den 12.Maij auß Hollandt abgeloffen und im Merzen dieses 1608 nach gehaltener Schlacht vor Malacca wider mit zweyen Schiffen wol ist ankommen. Zusammen gebracht und beschrieben auß Niderländischer Verzeichnuß durch einen Liebhaber der Schifffahrten. Franckfurt am Mayn : bey Erasmo Kempffern, in Verlegung Levini Hulsii Wittib, 1613. Small quarto, modern marbled paper wrappers; title with engraved vignette; pp. 52, with a folding map and 4 plates (3 folding).

Church 295.

Second edition of the tenth “Part”, containing detailed descriptions of the expedition of Cornelis Matelief de Jonge, the battles for the Strait of Malacca, and diplomatic exchanges with local rulers. A famous episode of this expedition is the siege of the Portuguese fortress of Malacca in 1606, as well as the naval battle in the Strait of Singapore. The large map is identical to the one in the Neundte Schiffart (see above). The plates include a depiction of Malay types, the Dutch destroying Portuguese ships during the Second Battle of Malacca, and a plan/map of Ceylon.

Fünffzehende Schiffart: Warhafftiger und zuvor nie erhörter Bericht eines Engelischen, welcher mit einem Schiff, die Auffart genandt, in Cambaia, dem eussersten Theil OstIndien, Schiffbruch gelidden, zu Landt durch unbekandte Königreich gereiset, derselben Königreich Stätt, Landts und Kauffhandels erzehlung. Sampt einer Glaubwürdigen Offenbarung deß Großmächtigen Keysers, der grosse Mogoll genandt. Hanau : in Verlegung der Hulsischen, 1617. Small quarto, modern marbled paper wrappers; title with engraved vignette; pp. 75.

Church 306.

First edition in German of Englishman Robert Coverte’s important travel narrative, A true and almost incredible Report of an Englishman, that (being cast away in the good Ship called The Assention, in Cambaya, the farthest Part of the East Indies) Travelled by Land through many unknowne Kingdomes, and Great Cities, first published in 1612. It includes Coverte’s account of his shipwreck on the east coast of India, his reception by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, and of his long journey on foot across India, Afghanistan, and Persia between 1607 and 1611.