The Dutch being at the height of their power, having supplanted the Portuguese, desired to gain access to China and a portion of the China trade. After much opposition the Government succeeded in sending certain merchants to try the pulse of the Chinese at Canton. Upon their report it was determined to despatch ambassadors from Batavia to the Court of Peking to solicit liberty to trade. This is the embassy written up by Nieuhoff, who was steward to the ambassadors. Its failure led the Dutch to send other embassies.

First French edition. Folio. 2 parts in 1, bound without additional engraved title, printed title printed in red and black with engraved vignette (short tear to lower blank margin), engraved portrait of Colbert, large folding map (short tear to fold, lightly browned), 34 double-page engraved plates, engravings in the text, light old waterstain towards end, contemporary mottled calf gilt, joints and extremities neatly repaired, a little rubbed, a very good copy.

Cordier Sinica 2345.