NO RESERVE

"[The Dutch Attacks the Fortress at Praia] Praia", 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 interesting engraving depicts the crew of Dutch merchant and explorer Simon de Cordes occupying a Portuguese fortress near Praia, Cape Verde. En route to the Strait of Magellan, De Cordes stopped in Praia to loot supplies from the Portuguese, but his raid was ultimately fruitless. The engraving was originally published in Part IX of De Bry's Grands Voyages, but this example appeared in Newe Welt und Americanische Historien, a condensed edition of de Bry's series of voyages published by Johann Ludwig Gottfried. On a sheet of German text measuring 8.0 x 13.2".

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Condition: B+

There is light uneven toning in the engraved image and a few small wormholes in the margins.