4to. 104 pp., 2 folding engraved maps and a folding engraved plate. Modern wrappers, in cloth clamshell box. A couple of leaves slightly browned and a few occasional spots and smudges, otherwise a very good copy.

Brouwer, one of the directors of the Dutch West India Company, acted as the commander of a fleet of six ships, specially sent to the western coast of South America to activate the trade between the Dutch and the natives, who were at the time in bad humor with the Spaniards. During this voyage, which resulted in the first place in a better knowledge of that coast, Brouwer died at Chiloe and was buried at Valdivia in August 1643. After his death the command fell to Elias Herckmans, who occupied an important post in Brazil. Appended to that journal is the very important account of a charting voyage to Japan. That same year (1643) Maerten Gerritsz. Vries, employed by the Dutch East India Company, was ordered to explore and chart the northernmost islands of Japan. "His instructionsfrom Governor Van Diemen were to examine the countries to the north of Japan and to assess their economic and trading potential, particularly with regard to mineral wealth" (Howgego). He visited Hokkaido (Yezo) and Sakhalin, discovered the islands Iturup and Urup and gave his name to the strait between those islands. La Pérouse considered him one of the most eminent seafarers of his time.

Cordier, Japonica, cols. 354-355; Howgego, to 1800, B169, V63; Landwehr & V.d. Krogt, VOC 372; Muller, America 358 ("of the highest interest"); Sabin 8427; Tiele, Bibl. 198 & 1183; Tiele, Mém. 204; STCN (7 copies).