"De Stadt St. Martin", Montanus/Ogilby

Montanus' work was perhaps the greatest illustrated book on the New World produced in the seventeenth century. It contained over one hundred beautifully engraved plates, views, and maps of North and South America. The plates vividly depict forts, festivals, occupations, Dutch fleets, battles, religious rites, and customs of the native inhabitants. This important work was translated into German by Olivier Dapper, and into English by John Ogilby. Several of the plates were later acquired by Pierre Vander Aa.

This dramatic battle view depicts Admiral Martyn Thytzoon's 16-ship Dutch West India fleet attacking the Spanish-held Philipsburg, St. Martin in 1629. Legend at right names and keys to eighteen places on the view. Onshore, a large fortress is ablaze, as is one ship, while many ships fire cannons and a smaller fortress returns fire. Beautifully engraved on copper with fancy ribbon title cartouche floating above the scene.

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Condition: B+

Light toning with scattered foxing and a short centerfold separation confined to the top blank margin.