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KOLBEN, Peter. The Present State of the Cape of Good-Hope: Or, A Particular Account of the Hottentots: Their Religion, Government, Laws, Customs, Ceremonies, and Opinions; Their Art of War, Professions, Language, Genius, & c. Together With A Short Account of the Dutch Settlement at the Cape Written Originally In High German by... Done Into English from the Original by Mr. Medley. Illustrated with Copper Plates.
London: Printed for W. Innys and R. Manney, ..., 1738, (1731). In two volumes. Second edition, so stated on the titlepage of volume one. 8vo., full contemporary calf, raised bands, gilt compartments, leather spine labels, (xvi), (1)-367, 1p.adverts; xviii, (2), 1-363, (1)p.advert. With 30 engraved copper plates, some folding, and a folding map. Bookplate, inner hinges cracked, some rubbing to outer hinges, some rubbing to the binding but certainly a very good copy of this important work on South Africa. Mendelssohn I p.844-45 for the first edition in English, 1731.
Kolben sailed with the Dutch East India Company in 1704 and remained until 1713. This work, first published in 1731, is a "classic work on South Africa." "The natural history section was of considerable value at the time of publication. He provides a full account of the government of the country, with detailed descriptions of the various settlements, and a mass of information respecting the habits and customs of the native races. Despite a few inaccuracies the volumes contain the exactest history of the Hottentots the world has yet seen." (Mendelssohn).