For a look at some major turn of the century British book collections, there is Contributions towards a Dictionary of English book collectors...1892-1921. This book from Bernard Quaritch includes 78 articles about collectors, including a biographical sketch, a description of the notable works within each library, and a brief account of the fate of those libraries, in some instances following books to their new collections. €125 (US $193).

Here is a thorough work on the mapping of Africa: The Mapping of Africa. A Cartobibliography of Printed Maps of the African Continent to 1700. Author Richard L. Betz provides a detailed look at African maps printed from 1508-1700, 174 in all. The introduction also contains information on pre-1508 mapping of Africa. The book includes 300 color illustrations. €159 (US $245).

The Dutch East India Company (VOC) was a powerful, almost government unto itself force for almost two centuries. It dominated trade from much of the world between Africa and Japan. John Landerwahl worked for a trading company in the Far East during the 1950s and spent time in the old VOC Governor's house in Jakarta to compile this bibliography: VOC. A bibliography of publications relating to the Dutch East India Company: 1602-1800. This work not only covers items relating to the business functions of this great enterprise, but the travels and voyages, natural history, ethnography, and discoveries that came about as a result of its commercial activities. €425 (US $656).

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