80/2906 [Brazil]. (Barlaeus, C.). (Rerum per octennium in Brasilia Et alibi nuper gestarum, Sub Praefectura Illustrissimi Comitis I. Mauritii, Nassoviae, (...) Historia). Amst., J. Blaeu, 1647, (8),340,(8)p., engr. dedication, portrait, 58 double-p. maps, plans and views, contemp. calf w. later matching gilt backstrip w. red mor. letterpiece, folio.

- Lacks the title-p.; maps/ plates occas. sl. foxed and/ or yellowed (a few yellowed/ browned, notably "Incendia Molarum", the map of Chili); view of Dillenburg restored hole on central fold in sky area. Covers rubbed.

= Commissioned by Johan Maurits van Nassau (governor of Brazil between 1636-1644 and founder of "Mauritsstad" (present-day Recife)) and illustrated with sumptuous maps and views mainly by Frans Post, this work has become both the main source on the history of the Dutch in Brazil as well as one of the most beautifully illustrated antiquarian works on the country. Both Frans Post and the German astronomer/ naturalist/ surveyor Georg Marggraf were commissioned by Maurits van Nassau to document Brazil visually, geographically and scientifically during their stay in Brazil. "(...) Due to its sumptuousness and inestimable documentary value, it has been much sought after. Nowadays it is not easy to find a copy (...)" (Borba de Moraes I, p.78f) and "Mit der Unterstützung von Johann Moritz von Nassau-Siegen und zu seiner Rechtfertigung gegen die ungerechten Angriffe der Westindischen Kompagnie über seine Verwaltung der nordbrasilianischen Kolonie entstand dieses Werk des Amsterdamer Gelehrten Barlaeus, das auf Grund des benutzten dokumentarischen Materials zu den wichtigsten Quellen über diese Epoche gilt und darüber hinaus durch die Illustrationen von Frans Post zu den schönsten und wertvollsten Druckwerken über Brasilien im 17. Jahrhundert gehört. Es verzeichnet die großartigen Leistungen, die Moritz von Nassau in seiner kurzen Regierungszeit als "Gouverneur-Capiteynende Admirael-Generael " in Pernambuco erbracht hat." (Bosch 101). See also Sabin 3408; Alden/ Landiss 647-649; Muller, Americana 185; Tiele 72. SEE ILLUSTRATION PLATE CIII.