Very rare work with the terms of employment of the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC). It contains 121 clauses with rules of conduct and an extra chapter with formularies of oaths. This second, revised edition was published after some changes had been made to the rules in 1747. This VOC publication is very rare. It is available in just a few libraries and we have only been able to trace one other copy in sales records of the past 100 years.
The clauses deal with everything an employee of the VOC could face during employment. They explain exactly who is in charge, how to deal with religion on board of the ships, when and how payment of wages takes place, what the VOC pays in case of injury or death, how to climb in rank, rations on the ships, the repercussions of illegal trading, and the rights of former employees. The VOC struggled with staff shortages throughout the 18th century, but the situation became especially dire from 1744 onwards. This was in part because the VOC was not known to be a good employer. The present publication can likely be seen as an attempt by the VOC to improve its image as an employer and attract more staff.
With an additional loose large square title-label added before the front flyleaf and with the blindstamp of a previous owner ("Gulden Passer - Labores et Constantia - HV") on the front and back free flyleaves. As usual, the title has been extended with a slip-cancel mounted under the title, partially covering the printers device. The edges of the boards are slightly scuffed. The front endpapers, the title-page and following blank leaf have been reinforced in the gutter with paper, the endpapers are slightly browned, with a small brown stain on the title-page and first blank leaf. Overall in very good condition. Landwehr VOC, 940; STCN 17341558X (6 copies); WorldCat 48255045, 1200508712 (7 copies); cf. Schimmel, R., De VOC als werkgever. Een vergelijkend onderzoek naar de invloed van de VOC op maritieme arbeidsmarkten in Azië (master thesis), 2023.