c1682 - "AFRICAN ANIMALS"

A fine original antique engraving published for "A Collection of Voyages and Travel by Philip Baldaeus, accompanying The True & Exact Description of the Most Celebrated East - India Coast of Malabar and Coromandel and the Island of Ceylond, with all adjacent Countries".

Size approximately 42cm x 35.5cm including the margins with central fold as issued.

Fine later hand colour.

Philips Baelde or Father Philippus Baldaeus, (baptized on 24 October 1632 – 1671) was a Dutch minister. He went to Jaffna during the Dutch period on Ceylon with an invading Dutch force. As the second European after Abraham Rogerius, in his illustrated Description of the East Indian Countries of Malabar, Coromandel, Ceylon, etc. he documented the life, language and culture of the Tamil People, living in the north of the island. It was initially published in Dutch and German, while the English translation was published by the Ceylon Government Railway (1960). He wrote much about the religious, civil and domestic conditions of the places he visited and introduced his account of the Hindu mythology. He translated the Lord's Prayer of the Tamil language, and although it had mistakes, it was remarkable as the first treatise, printed in Europe of any Indian language. Baldaeus went back to Holland and preached until he died while still a young man.