Very little is known about Dapper beyond the information provided by his publications. He was baptised at the Lutheran church in Amsterdam in January of 1636, so it is likely that he was born sometime in 1635. He studied at the University of Utrecht, and although he signed himself ‘M. D.’, there is no evidence that he ever practised as a doctor. Dapper never seems to have left Holland; he was the supreme armchair traveller, and his works are especially valued for their extensive illustrations.
Naukeurige Beschryving der Eilanden, in de Archipel der Middelantsche Zee, en ontrent dezelve, gelegen: Waer onder de voornaemste Cyprus, Rhodus, Kandien, Samos, Scio, Negroponte, Lemnos, Paros, Delos, Patmos, en andere, in groten getale, Behelzende Der zelver benamingen, gelegentheden, steden, kastelen ... [etc.]. Verrijkt met zee-en eilant-kaerten, en afbeeldingen van steden, dieren, gewassen &c. Door Dr. O. Dapper. t’Amsterdam, Voor Wolfgangh, Waesbergen, Boom, Someren en Goethals. in ’t jaer 1688.
List of plates, our numbers:
01. Zee Kaerte Van De Archipel En Archipelsche Eylanden, Na de Stellinge en Ondervinding der Hedendaegsche Stuur Luyden. (dpf)
02. Insularum Archipelagi Septentrionalis seu Maris Ægæi Accurata Delineatio Autore I Meur (d-p)
03. Archipelagi Meridionalis; seu Cycladum. Insularum accurata Delineatio. (d-p)
04. Cyprus Insula. (d-p)
05. Salinas of Soutpannen anders Arnicho di Salinas (d-p)
06. Afbeelding Der Oude Stad Rhodus / Platte Gront Der Stad Rhodus / De Hedendaegsche Stad en Haven van Rhodus
07. Het Eylant Rhodus. / Platte Gront Der Stadt Rhodus
08. Nisari. / Le Simie. / Carchi E Limonia. / Piscopia.
09. Lero. / Calamo. / Zanara E Levita. / Amorgo.
10. Stampalia. / Nicaria.
11. Samos. / Sio.
12. Chios (d-p)
13. t’ Casteel van Tenedos.
14. Schiatti Scopoli. / Zea.
15. Pelagnisi / Dromi.
16. Tino. / [view of Tinos]
17. Andro. / Sara
18. Insula Negroponte, olim Eubea et Macris et Abantias (d-p)
19. [Antiquities of Delos] (d-p)
20. Creta Nu Candia met d’Oude en Hedendaeghse Namen (d-p)
21. Candia. [plan and view of Candia town] (d-p)
22. Vesting Van Retimo. (d-p)
23. Haven en Vestingh van Spina Longa.
24. Eylant van Gossi van Candia / De Zuydt Kust vant Eylandt Candia ...
25.-29. [Numismatic plates]
30. Callipolis. (d-p)
31. Sestos in Europa. (d-p)
32. [Column of Pompey] (d-p)