"Der Franzosen Schiffahrt an den Fluss May", Le Moyne/De Bry

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 fascinating engraving is from a German edition of Part II of de Bry's Grands Voyages (Brevis Narratio Eorum quae in Florida Americae Provincia Gallis Acciderunt). It is based on Le Moyne's famous drawings of the French colonial attempts in southeastern Florida in the 1560s. The engraving depicts Captain Jean Ribault and his men as they entered the River May (the present-day St. Johns River) on May 1, 1562. They were greeted by natives bearing gifts of mulberries and maize. A whale appears at the river's mouth.

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Condition: B+

The sheet has been trimmed with loss of part of the text at bottom. There is light soiling and a printer's crease in the engraved image. A chip in the text at bottom right has been replaced with archival materials.