This copper engraving is from a remarkable series of publications, illustrating voyages of discovery and travels of exploration to various parts of the world. The project was begun by Theodore de Bry of Frankfurt, in 1590 and was to continue for another 54 years. They became known collectively as the Grands Voyages (to America and the West Indies) and the Petits Voyages (to the Orient and the East Indies). De Bry died after the first six parts of the Grands Voyages were completed. The project was completed initially by his widow and two sons, Johann Theodore de Bry and Johann Israel de Bry, then by his son-in-law, Matthaus Merian in 1644.

Both views are on full sheets of German text (13.5 x 9.5") with blank versos.

1) Plate XX. This scene shows the Indians of Darien (Panama) killing the captive Spanish conquistadors and preparing a cannibalistic feast. Knowing about the Spanish thirst for gold, the Indians devised this method of punishing their captives; pouring molten gold down their throat, then dismembering them and feasting on their corpses.

2) Plate XII. This view illustrates the pearl divers off Cubangua (Venezuela) trading with Spanish galleons in 1498, during Columbus’s third voyage.

References:

Condition: A

Light soil and a couple of wormholes in margins. #2 with a tear at bottom just entering text and repaired on verso with archival tape.