Georg Everhard Rumphius - D'Amboinsche Rariteitkamer - 1705

D'Amboinsche Rariteitkamer, Behelzende eene Beschryvinge van allerhande zoo weeke als harde Schaalvisschen, te weeten raare Krabben, Kreeften, en diergelyke Zeedieren, als mede allerhande Hoorntjes en Schulpen, die men in d' Amboinsche Zee vindt. Amsterdam: Jan Roman de Jonge, 1741. Second edition. 41 x 26 cm. Engraved frontispiece dated 1705 of the first edition, full title printed in red and black with engraved vignette by Amboina, a commission to Lord Johannes Burmanus of 2 pages, introduction of 8 pages, table of contents of 12 pages, a full-page engraving representing Georgii Everhardi Rumphii + 340 pp + 43pp (index) , with 5 large engraved vignettes, and 60 tipped-in copper engravings in full page. Worn cardboard cover. Worn contemporary spine in full calfskin with six raised bands. Inside in good overall condition but the pages are crimped. Tiny pitting. No tearing or handwritten annotation. Three engraved plates have been inverted and 3 are detached from the binding. Rumphius, 1627-1702, was a Dutch naturalist born in Hanau, Germany and employed by the Dutch East India Company. He spent most of his life on the island of Ambon and was not alive at the time of the publication of his book. He named most of the common pacific shells. It is a beautiful copy of a rare edition of this cabinet of curiosities of Ambon, by the "Pliny of the Indies".