977 - NIEUHOF, Johan Het gezandtschap der Neêrlandtsche Oost-Indische Compagnie, aan den grooten Tartarischen Cham, der tegenwoordigen Keizer van China [...]. Verçiert met over de 150 Afbeeldtsels, na 't leven in Sina getekent. Amsterdam Wolfgang, Waasberge, Boom, Van Someren & Goethals 1693 2 parts in 1 vol., folio: [8 incl. front.]-208, 258-[9] pp.; 35 (of 37) pl. (pl. "Paolinxi" missing as often, as well as the pl. with the military formation; part of title missing without loss of text (restored), pl. of Batavia restored with some loss, bl. edges of pl. of Porcelain Tower reinforced and bound in 2nd part, leaf c3 (pp. 21-22) in 2nd part missing, dampst. throughout but stronger in 2nd part, spotting). Mod. imitation leather, spine with raised bands, old red edges, renewed endpapers. 3rd Dutch ed. of this great travel account by J. Nieuhof (1618-1672). Engr. ill.: front. (the Emperor, seated with a globe looking down on a convicted criminal), 2 coats of arms of Spiegel and Witsen with poem by J. Vos, large portr. of Nieuhof with verse by J. Vos, a large fold. map, 33 double-page pl. (views of Chinese cities, i.a. the Forbidden City) and 110 large pl. in text (villages, ceremonies, costumes, plants, animals, ...). The 1st part gives an account of the travels through the Chinese provinces and cities, the 2nd part is on the natural world of the country, and the practices and habits of the Chinese people. The mission gave a start to the Dutch trade relations with China. Between 1655 and 1657, Nieuhof traversed the country with the merchants de Goyer and de Keyzer. Their reception there was quite reserved and the commercial outcome rather small. But Nieuhof's book was an immediate success, largely because of the impressive illustrations of this little known part of the world, after drawings by the author and compiled by his brother Hendrik. Ref. Tiele 800. - Landwehr (VOC) 539. - Cordier, Sinica, II-2344. - STCN.