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Hondius, Jodocus : A Clear Description of the Cape of Good Hope / Klare Besgryving van Cabo de Bona Esperança

(Cape Town: Book Exhibition Committee Van Riebeeck Festival, 1952)

Facsimile of the text compiled by Jodocus Hondius and published by him at Amsterdam in 1652, with an English translation by L. C. van Oordt and introduction and notes by Prof. P. Serton. 8vo; original blue cloth-backed grey cloth over boards, with gilt lettering to spine and gilt Van Riebeeck Festival device to upper cover; pp. xv + (i) + 33 + (i) + 37; three folding plates, and one large, folding chart. Very good condition. The introduction by P. Serton is in English with an Afrikaans translation, while the actual translation of the facsimile is in English only. Mendelssohn paraphrases the original full title and explains the work's significance as follows: "A lucid description of the Cape of Good Hope, with the adjoining coast, to Cape Negro in Angola. With information respecting the harbours, divisions, places, states, &c. As also the nature of the climate, the means of existence, crops, animals. Together with the nature of the people, their existing customs and conditions, with any peculiarities which distinguish them. Compiled with great care and industry, and very clearly written. This compilation was published at about the time that Van Riebeeck arrived at the Cape to lay the foundations of the new settlement, and probably served as the first handbook to the new colony. ... The pamphlet was published by Jodocus Hondius, who was well known as an able cartographist in the seventeenth century." - Mendelssohn I, p. 734

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