101 p, A narrative history with the catalogue of an exhibition of rare prints, maps, and illustrated books from the John Carter Brown Library. Contents: 1. The birth of the Dutch Republic and the world war against Habsburg Spain -- 2. The West Indies Company -- 3. The Dutch in Brazil : a peerless prince in Pernambuco -- 4. Images and knowledge of the New World -- 5. "In some future day it may be thought of more importance" : Dutch contributions to North American history -- 6. The Guianas and the Caribbean Islands; "Exhibition sites: The John Carter Brown Library, Providence, Rhode Island, May 9 to September 15, 1997; the Equitable Gallery, New York, New York, January 22 to April 4, 1998"--T.p. verso. "Preface" (p. xiii-xv)
