Cas Oorthuys, Casparus Bernardus Oorthuys, Albert de la Court — EEN STAAT IN WORDING

Amsterdam, Antwerpen: UITGEVERIJ CONTACT. First edition, first printing. 127 pp., 24x17. Condition: Very Good (VG). Some parts of cover missing in the corners, some toning to paper. With dust jacket. Een staat in wording (A State in the Making) is a significant Dutch photo-reportage published in 1947. The work documents the state of Indonesia during its transition toward independence, specifically focusing on Java and Borneo. From January to March 1947, photographer Cas Oorthuys traveled through these regions commissioned by ABC-Press and Uitgeverij Contact. He was accompanied by educationalist Albert de la Court, who authored the accompanying text. The book serves as a plea for a peaceful solution to the Indonesian independence struggle, capturing both the human element of the conflict and the evolving political landscape. It is noted for its high-quality black-and-white photography and remains a key historical record of Dutch-Indonesian relations in the mid-20th century.