Antique Print of Maluku swordsmen by Commelin (1646)

Description: Plate 24: 'Afteeckeninge van de Molucxsche schermers.' (Depiction of Maluku swordsmen, Indonesia.) Rare. This attrative plate originates from: 'Title: Waerachtigh verhael van de Schipvaerd op Oost-Indien Ghedaen by de acht Schepen in den jare 1598. van Amsterdam uyt-gezeylt, onder 't beleyd van den Admirael Jacob Cornelissoon van Neck, ende Vice-Admirael Wybrand van Warwijck..', which was part of the monumental work by Isaac Commelin (1598-1676) on VOC voyages: 'Begin ende voortgangh van de Vereenighde Nederlantsche Geoctroyeerde Oost-Indische Companie....', published by Joannes Janssonius, Amsterdam, 1646. Jacob Corneliszoon van Neck (1564-1638) was a Dutch naval officer and explorer, who led the second Dutch expedition to Indonesia (1598-99). The purpose of the expedition was to bring back spices, and was a huge success. Van Neck returned to Indonesia once more, but on that journey lost three fingers during a battle with a Spanish-Portuguese fleet. This prompted him to retire from exploration and travel. He later became mayor of Amsterdam, alderman and member of two admiralty colleges. (Ref: *Tiele 81; *Landwehr, VOC, 250.)

Artists and Engravers: Casparus Commelin (1636-1693), publisher and bookseller in Amsterdam. Engraver/etcher unknown.