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The History of Java by Sir Thomas Raffles.

We are proud to present a very rare gem of a book, a splendid first edition History of Java by Sir Thomas Raffles. Printed in London, for Black, Parbury, Allen and Murray in 1817. this magnificent book is made up of 2 volumes, bound by contemporary calf, spine ribbed and richly gilt with cream and chocolate morocco title label. This work has a large folding engraved map of Java (Fig. 5) by J. Walker, coloured by hand in outlines, along with 10 fine coloured aquatint costume plates by William Daniell, some folding tables and many tables in text, numerous views and illustrations on 55 full-pages, mostly soft-ground or line etched aquatint plates and 9 half-page views in the text.

From 1811 to 1816 Raffles had been Lieutenant Governor of Java during the British administration of the Dutch colonies following the blockade of the coasts of Europe by Napoleon’s ‘Continental system’. Before 1811 Raffles had shaped his carreer by an intensive exploration of the language, history and culture of the Malayan peoples scattered over the islands of the archipelago. He is one of the founders of Britain’s empire in East Asia. Raffles sailed to Java in 1811, and, after a short and sharp engagement with the Dutch-French forces, occupied the island and on the 11th of September of that year he was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Java. Raffles immediately put into practice many reforms aimed at changing the Dutch colonial system and improving the condition of the native population. His reforms, however, proved to be too costly for a trading company primarily concerned with making a profit and were short-lived. Raffles worked on his history all the time he was at Java, and more seriously in 1815 when he knew his stay was coming to an end. Back in England in 1816, publication of the work was delayed

because the illustrations needed to be finished. The work was published in 1817, both on large (250 copies) and on ordinary paper (650 copies). The work is richly illustrated, and is still a classic on the subject. Not only the usual topics are treated - such as the history of Java, its geography, demography, natural history, religion, law, customs, antiquities, European administration, commerce, military system, etc.-, but also highly original chapters on Javanese ethics, on literature, poetry, music, national drama,

(Fig. 1) The History of Java Volume I and II binding and cover.

(Fig. 2) Volume I title page with an etching of Raden Rana Dipura on reverse page.

games of skill, hunting, languages, etc. are included.

Apart from the originality and scientific importance of the text, the outstanding feature of the book are the 66 plates, 10 of which are coloured aquatints illustrating Javanese life and costume including the Papuan boy who accompanied Raffles to England in 1816, being the first of his race to visit that country. The plates are fully listed by Bastin-Brommer in note 83. Though unsigned, the 10 coloured aquatints are by William Daniell, who was also responsible for many of the designs and drawings used in the book. William Daniell’s pre-eminence in the field of colour aquatinting and his direct experience of Indonesia made him the natural choice to engrave these plates.

The soft-ground etching of Raden Rana Dipura (Fig. 2), which forms the front piece of vol. 1 is probably also the work of

Daniell and his unmistakable style is evident in the uncoloured aquatints of the temples at Dieng (Fig. 4) and Prambanan in vol. 2. Other plates are after the drawings by Captain Godfrey P. Baker and the Dutch surveyor and engineer H.C. Cornelis, who with J.W.B. Wardenaar supplied Raffles with other drawings of Javanese antiquities, engraved by J. Walker, J. Mitan and J. Swaine. The plates illustrate the cultural, religious, and daily life of Java, mostly in soft-ground etching with aquatint, several in line etching and aquatint and some, especially the alphabets and musical scores (Fig. 3), in etching only. Native implements of industry and daily life are depicted- a spinning wheel, weaving loom and stamps used in making Batik cloths, musical instruments, Javanese krisses and weapons, wayang puppets and masks, alphabeths and inscriptions, temples in ruins and in reconstruction, Gods and Godesses after ancient casts and stones, and many more.

In terms of the pictorial depiction of Javanese costume and topography, the importance of The history of Java can hardly be exaggerated.“By a happy coincidence the British interregnum in Indonesia threw up one of the most energetic British Orientalists at a time when the English colourplate book, illustrated by the medium of aquatint, was enjoying its greatest vogue. The marriage of scientifically original text with beautiful illustrations by an accomplished aquatint engraver resulted in a book about Indonesia of outstanding quality: indeed a masterpiece” (Bastin Brommer). This book is seriously sought-after and we guarantee it will not be with us long before someone lucky snaps it up, so be sure to visit us for a viewing soon!

Fig 5. The pull-out map of Java which measures 1100 x 440mm.

(Fig. 3) Music score for ‘Onang Onang’. (Fig. 4) Aquatint of the temples at Dieng.