The Present State of The Cape of Good-Hope: Or, A Particular Account of The Several Nations of The Hottentots: Their Religion, Government, Laws, Customs, Ceremonies, and Opinions; Their Art of War, Professiuons, Language, Genius, &c. Together With a Short Account of The Dutch Settlement at The Cape. Illustrated with Copper Plates. Vol.II Containing the Natural History of The Cape; or, A Particular Description of All the Sorts of Animals and Vegetables in That Neighborhood; as of Beasts, Birds, Insects, Sea- and river-fish; Trees, Shrubs, Plants, Herbs, Roots, and Flowers. Likewise an Account of The Mineral Productions, and of The Sea-, River-, and Spring- Waters there. Together with some Observations on the Cape-Winds and Air. To which is prefix'd, A Topographical Account of The Colonies there; as, of their extent, Rivers, Springs, Mountains, Roads, Places of Note, &c. Illustrated with Copper Plates.

The Present State of The Cape of Good-Hope: Or, A Particular Account of The Several Nations of The Hottentots: Their Religion, Government, Laws, Customs, Ceremonies, and Opinions; Their Art of War, Professiuons, Language, Genius, &c. Together With a Short Account of The Dutch Settlement at The Cape. Illustrated with Copper Plates. Vol.II Containing the Natural History of The Cape; or, A Particular Description of All the Sorts of Animals and Vegetables in That Neighborhood; as of Beasts, Birds, Insects, Sea- and river-fish; Trees, Shrubs, Plants, Herbs, Roots, and Flowers. Likewise an Account of The Mineral Productions, and of The Sea-, River-, and Spring- Waters there. Together with some Observations on the Cape-Winds and Air. To which is prefix'd, A Topographical Account of The Colonies there; as, of their extent, Rivers, Springs, Mountains, Roads, Places of Note, &c. Illustrated with Copper Plates. Kolben, Peter and Medley, Mr. (Trans.). 1731. London: Printed for W. Innys.

First English edition of Peter Kolben’s detailed account of the Cape of Good Hope. Volume I describes the Khoikhoi peoples, their customs, religion, government, language, and warfare, together with the Dutch settlement; Volume II surveys the region’s natural history, geography, minerals, waters, winds, plants, and animals.

8vo.(4.5" x 7.5") Two re-backed volumes using original spines and boards. Full brown diced leather with gilt rule and decoration framing boards. Spines with gilt rule creating compartments, gilt lettering to second and fourth compartments, all others with large centered gilt floral device. All edges marbled, marbled endpapers. Vol.I with worn and chipped sun-faded spine, loss to head and foot, small loss to upper joint (see pic) with a closed cut to leather across the center of the board. Both volumes with edgewear, corners bumped and rubbed, most through to boards with small loss to tips. Vol.II. with head and foot of spine lightly chipped with small loss to original leather. Illustrated with copper plates; Vol.I with engraved frontispiece and 16 plates, 2 folding. Vol.II. with engraved frontispiece and 12 plates including a folded map.