SALMON, Tomas (& Matthias van GOCH). - Hedendaegsche historie, of tegenwoordige staet van alle volkeren; in opzigte hunner landsgelegenheit, personen, klederen, gebouwen, zeden, wetten, gewoontens, godsdienst, regering, konsten en wetenschappen, koop

Original edition of the first volume of the Dutch translation of an extensive series on the geography, history and culture of most parts of the world, consisting of 44 volumes. This first volume deals extensively with China, Japan, the Philippines, the Moluccas and Celebes (the present Sulawesi) with its capital Makassar. This first vol. (as also vols. 2-9) is translated and much enlarged by Matthias van Goch (d. 1739), who added many original notes. Beginning with the part on Japan and the Moluccas in this volume, Van Goch enlarged and adopted the original text by Thomas Salmon to such extend that his text can be considered as Van Goch's own work. He could make use of the annotations by Gerrit Voogt which he wrote during his stay in Decima from 1706 till 1714.

This part is illustrated with a beautiful view on the island Decima, the Dutch foot-hold in Japan, being copied from a manuscript by Vogue, who was second-in-command on Deshima in 1713. The island is viewed from the landside, depicting the developments of the new warehouses and the garden as well as the famous "speelhuis" which contained a billiard table and musical instruments on the upper floor.
The original English edition was compiled by Thomas Salmon (1679-1767): Modern history, or The present state of all nations, the first volume of which (here translated) appeared in London in 1725. Thomas Salmon was an historical and geographical writer. He travelled extensively and resided in the Indies for many years. The original English series consists of three volumes. The entire Dutch series, based on Salmon's work translation, of which volumes 1-9 were translated/ written/ adapted by Matthias van Goch, was published in 44 volumes, between 1729 and 1803, published by Isaak Tirion and others. An Italian translation appeared in 23 volumes (1738-61). The work was also partly translated into German from 1748 onwards.
Our copy preserves the unpaginated separate titles for the parts on Japan (nr. III and IV), Philippines (Nr. V and a leaf with the contents), and the Moloccas (Nr. VI, with 3 unpaginated lvs. with a preface). Very good condition.