Commelin, Caspar. Beschryvinge van Amsterdam.

AUCTION 69 | Thursday, June 23rd, 2016 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Holy Land Maps and Ceremonial Objects

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Lot 32
(AMSTERDAM).

Commelin, Caspar. Beschryvinge van Amsterdam.

Second edition. Vol. I (of 2). Numerous engraved city views (mostly double-page) and text illustrations by Jan Luyken, Petrus Schenk and others. pp. xx, 600. Ex-library, pp. 501-4 with plates removed. Contemporary full vellum, rubbed, backstrip starting. Folio.

Amsterdam: Andries van Damme, et al 1726

Est: $700 - $1,000
Caspar Commelin (1636 - 1693) was a printer, bookseller and publisher in late 17th century Amsterdam, as well as a noted historian of his native city. His finely illustrated “Beschryvinge van Amsterdam” is regarded as the best description in its time of this cosmopolitan city. The two synagogues of Amsterdam at the time (Ashkenazic and the Sephardic) are identified on the large fold-out map (see prior to p. 253) as no. 20: Ioode Kercken (“Jewish Churches.”. The Ashkenazi Synagogue also appears in the background of the plate entitled: Oude Zyds Huys-Sitten Huys (see prior to p. 535).