"[Spilbergen Lands at Acapulco] Aquapolque [on verso] [Spilbergen's Fleet Lands Near Manzanilla] St. Iago [on sheet with] Nativitdaet [and] Contra la Spaignol", 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.

These engravings first appeared in Part XI of de Bry's Grands Voyages in 1620, and were republished in Johann Ludwig Gottfried's Historia Antipodum, a collection of voyages. Matthaus Merian, de Bry's son-in-law and publisher for Historia Antipodum, was granted access to de Bry's copper-engraved plates. On recto is a fine view of Acapulco that depicts Dutch naval officer Joris van Spilbergen's eventful arrival to the city. Spilbergen arrived with Spanish prisoners that were eventually released in exchange for provisions. In the background, two small figures can be seen waving white flags and negotiating. In the foreground is a fantastically large fish that Spilbergen's crew caught. The verso features three small engravings detailing Spilbergen's adventures in Santiago and Barra de Navidad, Mexico, including a striking battle scene and another illustration of a large exotic fish captured by the crew. On sheet of German text measuring 8.0 x 13.5".

References:

Condition: B+

There is some light toning and a small chip in the bottom left corner far from the image.