Lot 2033 , Brandt, Gerard - La Vie de Michel de Ruiter ... Ou est comprise L'Histoire Maritime des Provinces Unies, depuis l'an 1652, jusques à 1676 ... Traduite du Hollandois ... pictorial engraved and printed titles, portrait, 8

° Brandt, Gerard - La Vie de Michel de Ruiter ... Ou est comprise L'Histoire Maritime des Provinces Unies, depuis l'an 1652, jusques à 1676 ... Traduite du Hollandois ... pictorial engraved and printed titles, portrait, 8 plates (1 folded and 6 double page), tailpiece decorations and decorated initial letters; contemp. mottled calf, gilt decorated panelled spine, marbled edges, roy. 4to. Amsterdam: De L'Imprimerie de P. & J. Blaeu ... 1698 Note: Michiel de Ruyter (1607-1676), one of the world's leading naval commanders. Served under Maarten Tromp in the first Anglo-Dutch War, and in the Second commanded the fleet, winning (1666) the Four Days Battle. Especially famed for his 1667 successful raid on the Medway, destroying much of the English fleet - their flagship, the Royal Charles, being taken. A double-page plate in the volume (with detailed key) depicts this historic event. In the Third War his action at Solebay (1673) and elsewhere prevented invasion by Anglo-French forces. He was fatally wounded in action against the French fleet in the Battle of Augusta (off Sicily) in 1676; the French ships firing a salute of honour as his body was conveyed back to Amsterdam, prior to a state funeral (plate 7 in the volume)
£300-400

Condition:
Lt. bndg. wear, but gen. good, joints and inner hinges tender, mostly clean inside, but e/ps. with edges browned; some leaves 'cockled'. (6), 717, (17)pp. title printed red and black with vignette illus.; 4 plts. depict naval engagements

Sold for £220