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Description of the Peloponnesus and the Islands of the Adriatic.

Dapper, Olfert. Description of the Morea formerly the Peloponnesus and the countries and islands of the coast of the Morea and within the gulf of Venice; Corfu, Kefalonia, Levkada and Zante... " Naukeurige Beschryving van Morea, Eertijts Pelopnnesus; en de Eilanden, Gelegen onder de kusten van Morea, en binnen en buiten de Golf de Venetien: Waer onder de voornaemmste Korfu, Cefalonia, Sant Maura, Zanten, en andere in grooten getale. Behelzende derzelver Lantschappen, steden, rivieren, poelenbergen, gewassen, dieren &c. met de karten van Morea, Golf van venetien en verschiede eilanden: benessens afbeeldingen van steden en kastelen, als Patrasso, Modon, Koron, Navarino, Napoli di Romania en Malvasia, Korinthen , Mistra &c" Amsterdam Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom. Someren en Goethals 1688
2 parts in 1 volume folio,[6],1-48, 33-40,1-56,25-168 [ 255 pages as published]; [12],1-120, (105)-(116), 121-164, [176 pages as published] [6]p. {Extremely eccentric pagination throughout, nevertheless the text is complete all catchwords follow,see my note re part 2}
Engraved allegorical frontispiece, title in red & black, 2 [folding] maps, 2 [folding] views, 13 plates [7 double page], 29 illustrations in text.
Contemporary calf with gilt spine and morocco label.
First and only edition with Dutch text. Dedication to Nicolas Witsen.
The first part a description of the Peloponnesus, with double page map by Jac. Mersius and a large folding map by Joanne Blaeu; four double page views of Navarino, Modon, Coron and Nafplion; single page with 2 views of Matapan and plan of Maina, and 24 vignettes within text many after Coronelli of Patras, Korinth, Lepanto, Kalamata (3), Mistras &c

The second part :The Description of the Islands with large folding map of the Gulf of Venice, vignette views of Venice and Lesina; Description of Corfu: double page map of the island and birds-eye plan of the city; large folding view of Corfu town,: vignette view of Kasiope and 2 pages of Ancient coins. [The pagination of this chapter somewhat eccentric p21-120 and then (105)-(116); probably due to the printer having received the text after printing the following chapter?] ; chapter describing Levkada and Kefalonia : 2 single pages with 2 views on each [ plan of Isthmus of Santa Maura & Castle of Santa Maura; map & view of Kefalonia.]
Description Of Zante/ Zakinthos with large folding view and vignette map. 2 [folding] maps, 2 [folding] views, 13 plates [7 double page], 29 illustrations in text. Contemporary full calf; spine gilt. Large folding map of Morea with short margin at top[2mm],but otherwise dark impression and in good condition; double page plates with good margins.
Morea: p 472 with paper fault to blank margin[ opposite vignette of Monomvasia]; p39-473 chipping to edge worse on the last 2 pages; some spotting to gutter of pages 99-117 of Morea; acouple of dark spots on p111 effecting text.
Korfu: p29 toned and light spotting
A good copy.

Olfert Dapper (1639-1689)
was a Dutch physician and scholar devoted to historical and geographical studies.
He produced several finely illustrated volumes describing travels in Africa, Asia, Asia Minor, the Middle East, drawing upon the most reliable eye-witness accounts as well as his own library of travel books. His works were authoritative and very popular, and especially noteworthy for their excellent illustrations and maps.

Dapper produced two works concerned with Greece both published in 1688, possibly responding to the Venetian successes against the Ottomans between 1685-8; the present work and the description of the Archipelago:
"Naukeurige beschryving der Eilanden, in de Archipel der Middelantsche Zee, en omtrent dezelve, gelegen: waer onder de voornaemste Cyprus, Rhodus, Kandien, Samos, Scio, Negroponte"
Blackmer/Navari:452;Tiele, 303; Graesse II, 335. 335 by 215mm (13¼ by 8½ inches).   ref: 3226  €7500

Company: Bryan, Mary Louise. Address: Ag. Andrianoy 92 , 21 100 Nafplio, Greece.
Vat No: EL 119092581