Set of two Dutch almanacs for the years 1779 and 1783, focussing on history and art. They are part of a series published from 1767 onwards by Van Esveldt in Amsterdam, which was based on a similar German example. Each volume is illustrated with a map, coloured in outlines, of a different part of the globe, and 12 full-page engraved plates depicting historical events from Dutch recent history, each with a poem of 8 lines underneath. These events are mostly local and include, for example, a fire at the year market, viewings of the northern lights, the beaching of a cetacean, and the discovery of an old treasure. Other than the usual items (tides, eclipses, routes and timetables of post coaches to all European destinations, timetables of ferries, etc.), the almanacs also include recent discoveries, the number of inhabitants of important cities in Europe, two parts of a series on the planets, and short biographies of all living royals at the time.
With an unclear impression of the library stamp from a Professor Emil in Munich in both volumes. The boards are somewhat rubbed the edges and corners are scuffed. Volume 1 is lacking the flyleaves in the front and back, occasional minor foxing, mostly in the second volume. Otherwise in good condition. Ad 1: STCN 302380043 (3 copies); Ad 2: STCN 173665136 (3 copies); not in Vandenhole; Welsh.