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The Illustrious World – Rare Dutch Heraldic and Historical Masterwork, 1700

About the Item

De Doorluchtige Weereld – S. de Vries, François Halma, Amsterdam, 1700 Magnificent and complete three-volume set of De Doorluchtige Weereld (The Illustrious World), written by S. de Vries and published in Amsterdam in 1700 by François Halma and Jan van Oosterwijck. This monumental genealogical, historical, and heraldic compendium presents detailed descriptions of the reigning emperors, kings, princes, and counts of Europe, together with the states and republics of the entire known world at the turn of the 18th century. Comprising 725, 631 and 511 pages, the work includes a splendid engraved frontispiece, fourteen plates with flags, one folding plate depicting the orders of knighthood, and a large number of full-page coats of arms. Every engraving is beautifully hand-colored in the period, richly heightened with gold and silver—an exceptional feature rarely encountered in surviving copies. The vibrant use of metallic pigments gives the armorials and insignia a stunning dimensional quality that evokes the luxury of early modern heraldic illustration. The work opens with dedications to the Burgomasters of Amsterdam, decorative initials, and typographical elegance characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age of printing. The content blends genealogy and political history, listing titles, origins, alliances, and religious affiliations of noble families, accompanied by explanatory texts and elaborate coats of arms for each region or lineage, from the Holy Roman Empire to the Dutch Republic and beyond. Bound in three uniform volumes of contemporary full calf with gilt and ribbed spines, these books are preserved in solid condition. The bindings show age-consistent wear with some creasing, slight rubbing, and a few restorations to the joints, but the interiors remain exceptionally clean and well-preserved, with generous margins and vibrant color throughout. A particularly fine and rare example of Dutch heraldic and genealogical literature—complete, richly hand-illuminated, and printed in the Netherlands’ great age of bookmaking. Condition report: Good, complete three-volume set. Bright contemporary hand-coloring heightened with gold and silver. Some hinge wear, minor water stain in vol. 3, small tear to frontispiece. Bindings slightly worn but solid and uniform. Framing tips: Individual colored plates—especially those of orders of knighthood or coats of arms—can be elegantly framed with ivory mats and gilt or dark walnut frames to highlight the metallic gold and silver details. Technique: Engraving, contemporary hand coloring heightened with gold and silver Maker: S. de Vries (author), François Halma & J. van Oosterwijck (publishers), Amsterdam, 1700

Dimensions:
Height: 7.68 in (19.5 cm)Width: 5.12 in (13 cm)Depth: 1.97 in (5 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Paper
Place of Origin:
Netherlands
Period:
Early 18th Century
Date of Manufacture:
1700
Condition:
Good, complete three-volume set. Bright contemporary hand-coloring heightened with gold and silver. Some hinge wear, minor water stain in vol. 3, small tear to frontispiece. Bindings slightly worn but solid and uniform.
Seller Location:
Langweer, NL
Reference Number:
Seller: BG-14101-1, -2, -31stDibs: LU3054346921972