An Embassy from the East-India Company of the United Provinces, to the Grand Tartar Cham Emperour of China, Delivered by Their Excellcies Peter De Goyer, and Jacob De Keyzer, At his Imperial City of Peking. Wherein The Cities, Towns, Villages, Ports, Rivers, &c. In their Passages from Canton to Peking, Are Ingeniously Described by Mr. John Nieuhoff, Steward to the Ambassadours. Also, An Epistle of Father John Adams their Antagonist, concerning the whole Negotiation. With an Appendix of several Remarks taken out of Father Athanasius Kircher. Englished and set forth with their several Sculptures, by John Ogilby, Esq; Master of his Majesties Revels in the Kingdom of Ireland. - Johan Nieuhoff, John Ogilby 1669 - Printed by John Macock for the Author, London - First Edition in English One of the great 17th century works on China, translated and published by John Ogilby, noteworthy not only for the text, bringing notice of the mysteries of the East to English readers, but for the magnificent engraved illustrations and plates.

In contemporary full calf and profusely illustrated throughout with portrait frontispiece, added pictorial title-page (signed in the plate by Wenceslaus Hollar), double page map of China, 17 copper-engraved plates (on 16 pages); double-page plan of Canton; 120 copper-engravings in the text; and numerous decorative motifs.
  In four parts:
i. Embassy sent by the East-India Company: pp. 1-146
ii. General Description of the Empire of China: pp. 149-184, 205-327
iii. Narrative of an Embassy sent by Maatzuyker de Badem: pp. 1-18

iv. Appendix: Remarks taken from Athanasius Kircher: pp. 1-106.

‘Johan Nieuhoff (1618-72) came into the service of the VOC (Dutch East India Company) after having travelled in the service of the Dutch West Indian Company throughout the West Indies in Brazil, from 1640-9. After two years travelling through the East Indies, he was sent on the first Dutch Embassy to the Emperor of China in the years 1655-1657. In the middle of the 17th century, the Dutch were at the height of their power and wanted to gain access to the China Trade. This embassy was Europe’s first attempt to open China to the west. Nieuhof went to Nanking and Peking under the command of Pieter can Goyer and Jacob Keyzer. A number of scientists also participated, studying the flora and fauna along the route. Nieuhoff accompanied the mission from Canton to the court in Peking to ask for an expansion of trade (without much success) and made drawings during the journey which were used to make the first engravings of China to be published in England.’ - Bibliotheca Wittockiana.

Provenance: Presented in 1898 to the Richmond Library, Surrey.

References: Cox I 325. Wing N1153. Cordier
Bibliotheca Sinica 2349. Lowndes 1719. Lust, Western Books on China 525. Bibliotheca Wittockiana Western Travellers in China Discovering the Middle Kingdom 17.

Folio (binding size 42x28cm) pp. [1 (title page)] [1] [1(dedication page to King Charles)] [1] 1-184 (page 184 incorrectly numbered as 148), 205-327 [1]; 18 [2]; 106 (page 97 incorrectly numbered as 100). All correct and paginated as published.

Collation [10/1/2019]
Maps - Double Page Map of China - 1; - ; - = 1
Town Plans, and Plans - Double Page Town Plan of Kanton - 36; - ; - = 1
Plates - Frontis Portrait, Illustrated Title, 26 (two plates on this page), 30, 38, 40, 79, 84, 114, 126, 225; - ; 36, 68, 69, 70, 71, 78, 98 = 19 plates on 18 pages.
In-text engravings - 29, 32, 37, 38, 42, 43, 45, 47, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 52, 53, 54, 55, 55, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 65, 67, 70, 72, 75, 76, 77, 78, 78, 81, 84, 86, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 94, 96, 98, 99, 101, 101, 102, 104, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 112 (upside down), 113, 123, 124, 125, 136, 139, (note blank space on p141 appears to be left for a plate?) 142, 144, 145, 159, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 206, 209, 210, 211, 212, 220, 223, 223, 245, 246, 248, 249, 252, 253, 255, 257, 258, 260, 261, 264, 265, 267, 268, 270, 286, 286, 307; - ; 37, 38, 39, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 45, 74, 87, 87, 89, 90, 92, 96, 101, 103, 105. = 120 in-text engravings.
  Bound in contemporary panelled full calf, rebacked to style in smooth calf, spine lettered in gilt, corners and edges restored, inner hinges reinforced.   Condition: Very good, rebacked with later calf spine, inner hinges reinforced, internally some toning, heavier to page edges, illustrated title and frontispiece portrait mounted on silk, small library stamp to title page and plates, library plates to front endpapers.   Ref: 109654   Price: HK$ 125,000