LE CAP DE BONNE ESPERANCE.

Probably the finest view of Cape Town. Beautifully engraved. A sea battle in the foreground with at least 15 galleons.
With Tabletop mountain as the backdrop. Two putti holding the title banner.
A six numbered key explaining points in the view. A very decorative engraving by Pierre van der Aa.

The Dutch publisher Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733) was best known in his time for the maps and atlases he published. However, Van der Aa did not limit himself to producing his own work, he is also responsible for publishing various pirated editions of foreign bestselling books, as well as other illustrated publications. He began his career in his hometown of Leiden, where he started working as a Latin trade publisher in 1683, and his ambition was to become the city's most famous printer. This came true in 1715, when van der Aa was appointed as head printer for the city of Leiden and its university.