P.C. Hooft - Nederlandsche Historiën - 1703

Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft (1581–1647), Nederlandsche Historiën, since the transfer of the sovereignty of Emperor Charles the Fifth to King Philip his son, until the end of the lordship of the Earl of Leicester.

Fourth edition, 1703. Published in Amsterdam by Henrik Wetstein and Pieter Scepérus, in Leiden by Daniel van den Dalen and in Utrecht by Willem van de Water.

Complete set of 2 folio volumes, the first volume containing the first thirteen books and the second volume from the fourteenth book. The edition contains in total approximately 1,587 pages.

This fourth edition has been improved and expanded according to Hooft’s manuscript and was provided with a large number of new illustrations.

The set is complete with all the engravings, including the handsome engraved title-page, the portrait of P.C. Hooft, 24 engraved portraits and an extensive series of historical engravings. The illustration cycle includes, among other things, 25 double-page engravings with historical scenes relating to important events from the Dutch Revolt and the Eighty Years’ War. The historical engravings are attributed, among others, to Jan Luyken and C. Decker.

The portrait of Hooft is engraved by Anthony van Zijlvelt, after a painting by Joachim von Sandrart. The title-page was produced by J. van Munichuysen after Gerard de Lairesse.

The combination of historical scenes, portraits and typographic ornaments makes this edition a particularly beautiful example of Dutch book illustration from the early 18th century.

Condition: original leather bindings with signs of age and use. The paper shows appropriate aging and some signs of use. The engravings are present and complete. See the photos for a closer impression of the condition.