"[The French Reach Port Royal] [on verso] [Satouriona Prepares for Battle]", 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 shows the French arriving at Port Royal at the mouth of the St. John's River. The active scene presents a boat sailing up the river, natives making fire and hunting a deer, and several healthy crops which appear to be as large as men.

On verso is a scene showing Satouriona preparing for war. Next to him are two buckets of water. The first bucket symbolizes the blood of their enemy. Satouriona would hold the bucket up asking for victory and then throw the water in the air, splashing his men and declaring "do as I have done with the blood of your enemies." The second bucket of water was thrown on the fire with Satouriona screaming "thus you must exterminate your enemy and bring back their scalps."

On a sheet of German text measuring 8.2 x 13.2" and published in J.L. Gotfried's Newe Welt und Americanische Historien.

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Condition: B+

A lightly toned sheet with minor soiling and a binder's trim at right with minute loss of image.