Geschiedenis van Java ... vertaald, wat betreft de onderwerpen, welke voor Nederland en Indië wetenswaardig zijn, en voorzien van aanteekeningen, tot verbetering, beoordeeling en vervolg van het oorspronkelijke werk, door J.E. de Sturler.The Hague and Amsterdam, Van Cleef, 1836. 8vo. With folding letterpress table. Modern half parchment, gold-tooled spine, gilt upper edge.

LIV, 244, [1], [3 blank] pp.First and only edition of a revised Dutch translation of a classic on the history of Java by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles (1781-1826). From 1811 to 1816 Raffles was Lieutenant Governor of Java during the British administration of the Dutch colonies following the blockade of the coasts of Europe by Napoleon. Raffles worked on his history during his stay in Java. The original is important not only for the usual topics - such as the history of Java, its geography, demography, natural history, religion, law, customs, antiquities, European administration, commerce, military system, etc. -, but also for its highly original chapters on Javanese ethics, literature, poetry, music, national drama, games of skill, hunting, languages, etc. The present edition omits most of the cultural chapters and focuses more on commerce. At the end ca. 30 pages follow with additional notes, made by the translator, Jacques Eduard de Sturler (1800-1840).With the bookplate of the Dutch politician Gerbrand de Jong (1917-1984). A very minor waterstain in the lower, outer corner of the last five pages, otherwise in fine condition. Binding very good.l Cat. NHSM, p. 244; Tiele, Bibl. 896.