L. R. Conradi – De Ziener aan het Hof te Babel
Of: Wereldgeschiedenis in het Licht van den Bijbel
Second Edition / Tweede Druk, 1919
A fascinating antiquarian Dutch illustrated religious and historical book by L. R. Conradi (Ludwig Richard Conradi), published in 1919 by the Internationaal Traktaat-Genootschap.
The full title translates approximately as:
“The Seer at the Court of Babylon, or World History in the Light of the Bible.”
The work presents world history and historical events through a biblical and prophetic interpretation, with particular emphasis on the biblical prophecies of Daniel and their interpretation in relation to historical kingdoms and events. The book is also notable for its extensive period illustrations and its distinctive early-20th-century illustrated cloth binding.
The 1919 edition is documented by the University Library Utrecht as a book by Ludwig Richard Conradi, published in The Hague and elsewhere in 1919.
Contemporary antiquarian catalogues identify this specific edition as the 1919 second edition, 364 pages, with numerous illustrations; one catalogue records 55 engraved illustrations.
Ludwig Richard Conradi (L. R. Conradi) was a prominent German Adventist missionary, administrator and religious writer. His books frequently dealt with biblical prophecy, Christian theology and the interpretation of world history from a biblical perspective.
De Ziener aan het Hof te Babel is the Dutch edition of Conradi's work concerning Daniel's prophecies and world history. The original work derives from his German writings on biblical prophecy and world history. The earlier Dutch first edition appeared in 1914, while the copy offered here is the revised/second edition of 1919.
One of the most attractive features of this book is the large number of period black-and-white illustrations and plates.
The illustrations depict biblical and historical subjects, including scenes associated with:
The surviving illustrations are particularly interesting for collectors of illustrated religious books, biblical history and early-20th-century historical publications.
The book retains its distinctive original illustrated cloth binding.
The front cover features an elaborate period illustration showing a biblical/historical scene with a female figure, winged creatures, a lion and a large architectural background, together with the title:
DE ZIENER
AAN HET HOF TE BABEL
The cover has the characteristic decorative graphic style of early-20th-century Dutch religious publishing.
The spine carries the title and decorative ornamentation.
Antique / vintage used condition – see photographs carefully.
The book is complete and presents well considering its age of more than 100 years.
The binding shows visible age-related wear, including:
The text block remains substantially intact.
The pages show natural age toning and some age-related spotting/staining consistent with a book from 1919. The page edges have developed an attractive aged patina.
The binding and condition are fully documented in the photographs. Please use the photographs as part of the condition description.
This is NOT the first edition.
The title page clearly states:
“TWEEDE DRUK”
meaning Second Edition.
The first Dutch edition was published in 1914 and is a somewhat different edition of the work. The 1914 edition is recorded at approximately 388 pages, whereas this 1919 second edition has 364 pages.
This is an interesting item for collectors of:
The combination of the 1919 date, second-edition status, original illustrated cloth binding and extensive period illustrations makes this considerably more interesting than an ordinary later reprint.
Author: L. R. Conradi / Ludwig Richard Conradi
Title: De Ziener aan het Hof te Babel
Subtitle: Of Wereldgeschiedenis in het Licht van den Bijbel
Publisher: Internationaal Traktaat-Genootschap
Place: Den Haag / Kaapstad / Soerabaja
Year: 1919
Edition: Second Edition / Tweede Druk
Language: Dutch
Pages: 364
Binding: Illustrated cloth hardcover
Illustrations: Numerous black-and-white plates / engravings
ISBN: None — pre-ISBN antiquarian publication
Overall: Good antiquarian condition for its age, with noticeable external wear.
The book has not been artificially restored or modernized. It retains its original period appearance and original illustrated binding.
Please examine all photographs carefully before purchasing.