Rare first edition of an extensive description of one of the oldest trade-cities in the Northern Netherlands, and the centre of trade and navigation in the Dutch Golden Age. One of the Chambers of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) was stationed at Enkhuizen as well as the Dutch West India Company (WIC). The history proper of the city of Enkhuizen does not go beyond the year 1608, but extensive lists are added of the names of all public servants of Enkhuizen from the 15th century up to 1666, including the names of all directors of the East and West India Companies. These lists are not included in later editions.
Gerard Brandt (1626-1685) began his career as a literary figure, but became a Remonstrant minister of the church, serving in Hoorn from 1660 to 1667. He was to meet his greatest fame as a historian, beginning with his monumental history of the Reformation in the Netherlands in 1657. He wrote the present history of Enkhuizen during his tenure at nearby Hoorn, and published it anonymously. It long remained the standard work on the subject, appearing in a second edition in 1747 under Brandt's name.
With the stamps of the Vlaardingen city archive and the Vlaardingsche Oudheidskamer on the verso of the title page. The parchment is somewhat stained and soiled, with some insect droppings on the front board, the manuscript title has slightly faded. The work is lightly browned throughout, the folding plate with coat of arms is slightly brittle in the folds, a few leaves with mild marginal foxing. Otherwise in good condition. Nijhoff-van Hattum 45; Nijhoff BHGN III, 1108; STCN 823097439 (27 copies); USTC 1803668 (10 copies).