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 is a disbound example of the 3rd German edition of Part I of de Bry's Grands Voyages. Included in this example are 18 (of 22) plates on Virginia natives, letterpress title page to the plates, list of plates (which has been mis-bound between pages 4 & 5 of the text), pages 3-31 of the text, title page to Pict plates, and the index. Missing are the title page, dedication, map of Virginia, Adam & Eve plate, Virginia native plates I, III, IV and VII, and the 5 Pict plates. The text and plates are disbound but still held together with string ties, although one plate (VIII) is loose. Each of the plates is accompanied by German text either below the plate or on an opposing page. The plates depict:

II. A Weroans, or Chieftain, of Virginia. Condition: Light marginal soiling. (A)
V. A Young Gentlewoman of Secota. Condition: A stain in the right margin. (A)
VI. A Chief of Roanoke. Condition: Light marginal soiling. (A)
VIII. An Old Man in Winter Garb. Condition: Light soiling and trimmed by the bookbinder at right with loss of about 3-4 mm of the engraving. (B+)
IX. How the Chief Ladies of Dasamonquepeio Carry their Children. Condition: Very minor soiling in the image with several stains in the text below and in the bottom margin. (A)
X. The Sorcerer. Condition: Very minor soiling in the image with several stains in the text below and in the bottom margin. (A)
XI. How They Build Boats in Virginia. Condition: Light marginal soiling. (A)
XII. How They Catch Fish. Condition: Light soiling, some manuscript ink notations on the canoe, and a long centerfold separation. (B)
XIII. How They Cook their Fish. Condition: An old paper repair in the left margin and soiling in the text below the engraving. Trimmed by the bookbinder at right with loss of about 1-2 mm of the engraving. (B+)
XIV. How They Boil Meal in Earthenware Pots. Condition: Light marginal soiling. (A)
XV. How They Eat. Condition: Trimmed by the bookbinder at right with loss of about 1-2 mm of the engraving. (B+)
XVI. Praying Around the Fire with Rattles. Condition: Light soiling. (B+)
XVII. The Dances at their Great Feasts. Condition: Several stains and trimmed by the bookbinder at right with loss of about 1-2 mm of the engraving. (B)
XVIII. The Town of Pomeiock. Condition: Very light toning and soiling. (B+)
XIX. The Town of Secota. Condition: Light soiling and trimmed by the bookbinder at right with loss of about 4-5 mm of the engraving. (B)
XX. The Idol Kewas. Condition: A bit of show-through of text on verso, light marginal soiling, and trimmed by the bookbinder at right with loss of about 1-2 mm of the engraving. (B+)
XXI. The Tomb of the Weroans. Condition: Very light soiling and trimmed by the bookbinder at right with loss of about 1-2 mm of the engraving. (B+)
XXII. The Marks of the Chief Men of Virginia. Condition: Minor marginal soiling and trimmed by the bookbinder at right with loss of about 1-2 mm of the engraving. (B+)

References: Church #178.

Condition: B+

The text has light soiling and the list of plates has some old paper repairs. See above for condition descriptions of each plate.