A blanc 'Geoctroyeerde West-Indische Compagnie' (WIC) notebook
Amsterdam, dated 1738
H. 20.2 x W. 16 x D. 1.5 cm
These kinds of notebooks are rare and were probably gifted to a WIC-official to celebrate a service anniversary. The brown leather is embossed with a gilt WIC monogram surrounded by laurel and stamped anno 1738. Probably more recently the contents have been changed to blanc paper.
A 'Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie' (VOC) religious manual for sailors
"De Practycke ofte Oeffeninge Der Godtsaligheydt. Leerende een Christen Mensche, hoe hy in sijn wandel in sijn gantsche leven Gode behagen mach." (The practice of religion. Teaching a Christian Human how he should act in his life to please God) Translated from English by Everhardum Schuttenium, revised by Gisbertus Voetius and printed by Isaak van der Putte in 1726
H. 16.4 x W. 10.2 x D. 3.4 cm
The light-coloured leather embossed with the VOC-chamber Amsterdam monogram. These books probably were part of the regular inventory of ships leaving for Asia. Sailors, often sourced amongst the lower classes of the population, certainly needed some guidance in life. However, it is not known whether these books were really read aboard the ship.