Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën (Old and New East Indies) - Valentyn 1724–1726

Title: Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën (Old and New East Indies)
Author: François Valentyn (1666–1727)
Published: Dordrecht & Amsterdam, 1724–1726
Format: 8 Volumes 
Technique: Letterpress text with hundreds of copperplate engravings and maps.

The Definitive Encyclopedia of the VOC Era 
François Valentyn’s monumental work is the most comprehensive account of the East Indies ever published. A Dutch minister with two terms of service in the East, Valentyn gained unprecedented access to the VOC (Dutch East India Company) archives. He used "company secrets"—including classified charts and internal reports—to compile this massive geographical and historical record.

Scope of the Work:

• Natural History: Volume 3 is world-renowned for its "Natural History" of Ambon and Banda, featuring the earliest detailed illustrations of tropical fish, birds, and flora.

• Secret Cartography: The maps within these volumes remained the gold standard for navigating the Indonesian archipelago for over a century, as they were based on restricted VOC nautical data.

• Cultural Depth: Beyond geography, Valentyn provides intricate details on the customs, religions, and political structures of Japan, China, Formosa (Taiwan), Siam, and the Cape of Good Hope.

Condition Report (Original Publisher’s State): 
This set is distinguished by its authentic 18th-century half-binding. While the spines show significant "patina" and age-related wear, the internal text blocks remain "tall" and untrimmed. For the discerning collector, this "original state" preserves the historical integrity of the work, offering a raw, untouched connection to the Dutch Golden Age.