“Asian and African Animals”, published in Leiden by Pieter van der Aa
Pieter van der Aa was one of the most prominent publishers in XVIIth century Europe. He started his career in 1682 in Leiden (Netherlands) together with his brothers. He was intent on – and rapidly succeeded in – becoming the most important publisher in his town. He specialized in maps and atlases: among his most popular is the one dedicated to the mysterious African continent and its exotic animals.