"[Olano Rebuilds his Ship in Panama]", 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 the crew of Lope de Olano building a ship along the Veragua River. According to the text, upon reaching the Veragua River, Olano ordered his ships to be destroyed to prevent desertion of his men while he explored the land. He later regretted this decision, and ordered his men to build a new ship. As this task required some time, the men also built houses and planted crops to help them survive during the process. One of the destroyed ships can be seen in the background at right. On a full sheet of German text measuring 8.6 x 12.9".

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Condition: A

Minor marginal soiling.