Van Braam Houckgeest, an Early American Collector.

The article presents a biography of André Everard Van Braam Houckgeest, the 18th century Dutch American merchant and collector. Introductory comments are given discussing the significance of Houckgeest's interest to early U.S. history. Details are given relating to several periods of Houckgeest's life, including his career as a sailor, his establishment of an embassy in China, and his work studying cultures.