"Abbildung Welcher Gestalt die Spanische Silberflotta von dem Hollandischen General Peter Peters Hann an der Insul Cuba...", 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 scarce engraving of the Dutch and Spanish fleets in Patanca Bay, Cuba illustrates the events in 1628 when the Dutch buccaneer Pieter Hayn captured the Spanish silver fleet. Medallion portraits of General Pieter Hayn and Admiral Cornelius Long fill the top corners. At bottom left is a map of Cuba and Jamaica with north oriented to the bottom. A numbered key identifies the fleets and 20 ships with their captains. The view was based on an engraving by Casper En, which was published by Hulsius in 1629.

References: Cueto #26.

Condition: B+

A dark impression with light soiling, some light creasing, two small tears in the image that have been closed on verso with archival material, and a couple of small worm holes in the text above and below the image.