KOLBEN, Peter. The Present State of the Cape of Good-Hope: Written originally in High German, by Peter Kolben, A.M. Done into English from the original by Mr. Medley. London: Printed by W. Innys and R. Manby, at the West end of St Pauls, 1738-1731 Contemporary calf, 8vo. (1). The Second Edition.

Containing A particular account of the several nations 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. xiv,2,367,1pp. frontispiece and 17 plates (2 folding and 12 each with two separate engravings). Pages 33-35 contain “A collection of Hottentot words, with their interpretation.” (2). Containing the natural history of the Cape, or, a particular description of all the sorts of animals and vegetables in that neighbourhood, as of beasts, birds, insects, sea- and river-fish, trees, shrubs, plants, herbs, roots and flowers. Likewise an account of the mineral productions and of the sea-, river-, and spring-waters there. Together with some observations on the Cape-winds and air. To which is prefix’d a topographical account of the colonies there, as of their extent, rivers, springs, mountains roads, places of note &c.xviii,2,363,1pp. portrait frontispiece and 10 plates (4 each with two separate engravings), 2 maps (1 folding). Volume I is second edition, dated 1738; Volume II is the first edition of 1731.

The English translation of Kolb’s “Caput Bonae Spei hodiernum. Das ist: vollstÑndige Beschreibung des africanischen VorgebÅrges der Guten Hofnung” of 1719. Peter Kolb (1675 – 1726) was a German astronomer who went to the Cape from 1705 to 1713 to make astronomical observations. He recorded his travels in these two volumes, the first volume concentrates on the Hottentot people the second on the natural history. Pages slightly browned overall but generally without any foxing or spotting, in a ‘Cambridge’ style contemporary full calf with a twentieth century reback to both spines comprising raised bands, gilt motifs in compartments and reusing the red leather labels, a very nice set. [Mendelssohn: 844; ESTC N21068 (Volume I); ESTC T147067 (Volume II); Goldsmiths’-Kress library: 7553; Schapera: E187 – ‘By far the most detailed early account of the Hottentots;…’]