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 lot feature two remarkable engravings of Virginia Natives from the third German edition of Part I of De Bry's Grands Voyages. The first engraving (Plate XXII; originally XXIII) shows the markings on the backs of the Indigenous peoples of Virginia, which identify their "weroance" (leader) or home. The markings here are associated with Wingina, Wingina's sister's husband, and the chief lords of Secota, Pomeiooc, and Aquascogoc. The second engraving (Plate IX; originally X) depicts the Indigenous women of Dasomonquepeuc with their children slung on their backs. On a sheet of German text measuring 9.1 x 13.6".

References: Church #178; Van Groesen (De Bry's America) p. 82-84 & p. 67.

Condition: B

Both engravings are nice impressions on sheets that have been trimmed by the bookbinder with about 2 mm loss to the engraved image at right on Plate IX and 1 cm loss to Plate XXII. There are a few small spots and the second engraving has a few tiny edge tears in engraved image at right.