Travel
RAFFLES, Thomas Stamford.
The history of Java.
Black, Parbury, London 1817. First edition. 2 volumes, 4to., large folding map, 66 engraved plates by J.Swaine and J.Walker, of which 10 hand-coloured aquatints by William Daniell, the remainder uncoloured, and 7 engraved vignettes by Walker and J.Mitan, modern half morocco gilt, marbled boards, a very good copy.
In terms of the pictorial depiction of Javanese costume and topography, the importance of The History of Java can hardly be exaggerated. By a happy coincidence the British interregnum in Indonesia, which focused wider outside interest on this remote corner of Asia, threw up one of the most energetic British orientalists at a time when the English colour plate book, illustrated by the medium of aquatint, was enjoying its greatest vogue. The marriage of a scientifically original text with beautiful illustrations by an accomplished aquatint engraver resulted in a book about Indonesia of outstanding quality; indeed a masterpiece. - Bastin & Brommer. Though unsigned, the 10 coloured aquatints depicting Javanese life and costume and the Papuan boy who accompanied Raffles to England in 1816 are by William Daniell, who was also responsible for many of the designs and drawings used in the book. This first edition quickly sold out, being produced in a small print run of only 900 copies. Raffles was appointed Lieutenant-Governor in September 1811, which was a difficult position because of the large population, the many independent chiefs, and the fact that his government was subordinate to the governor-general in Bengal, to whom he had to apply for funds. However he set to his task with great industry, remodelling most areas of government, travelling extensively throughout Java and collecting information about the peoples, customs, geology etc., and by the end of June 1812 the whole of Java came under British rule. Lord Minto, Governor-General of India, adjudged Raffles a very clever, able, active and judicious man, perfectly versed in the Malay language and manners, but he is chiefly remembered for securing for Britain the maritime supremacy of the eastern seas. Abbey Travel 554; Tooley 391; Hill I, 245 (for Bohn re-issue of plates); Bastin & Brommer 81.
Price: £ 4500
US Dollar Price: $ 8930
Stock Number: 70120