History of the Netherlands, with a focus on the activities of the Dutch East and West India Companies. One of the maps is notable for showing California as an island. The other map is of the Netherlands: "Les Dix-Sept Provinces des Pays-Bas."
The double-sheet world map illustrates routes of Dutch explorers connected with the East and West Indies Companies and other details. It incorporates a terrific incomplete Australia attached to New Guinea, along with California as an Island and a badly misprojected Japan. The west coast of America extends due west toward Asia, one of the predominating theories of the 17th and early 18th Centuries. Antarctica is a huge mass. No NW Passage.
The 37 pages of engravings are mostly medals and scenes of the principal events of the history of the Seventeen Provinces.
The title translates as follows:
Abridged History of the United Provinces of the Netherlands,
Where One Sees Their Progress, Conquests, Government, and That of Their Companies in the East & West
[With Map:]
World Map to Identify the Most Remarkable Progress and Conquests of the United Provinces, as Well as Those of the East and West Companies, and the Territories They Possess in Both Hemispheres.
An unusual work, illustrated with many engravings.