"[Untitled - The Portuguese Fight the French near Recife]", Bry, Theodore de

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.

This engraving depicts a battle between two Portuguese ships and a French ship in Buttugaris harbor (Potiguaras in Paraiba), near Recife. Hans Staden, a German who joined a Portuguese crew sailing to Brazil, sailed to Buttagaris to pick up a load Brazil wood. When they arrived, they discovered that a French ship had already loaded the Brazil wood, and engaged in a battle. The French ship damaged the main mast of the Portuguese ship. Many natives with bows and arrows can be seen running along the coastline, while sea turtles and other sea creatures fill the waters. On a full sheet of Latin text measuring 9.3 x 13.0".

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Condition: A

A nice example with minor creasing and chips in the blank margins.