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 the first Latin edition of Part II of de Bry's Petits Voyages, chronicling Jan Huygen van Linschoten's voyages to Africa, India, and the East Indies from 1583-92. Included are 39 plates, a portrait of Linschoten, title page, preface, 114 pages of text, and an index. All three original maps (Goa, East Indies, and Melinde Harbor) from this volume are missing. Also missing is 1 blank page. Nearly all pages in this example are from the same example, however three plates (XXXIII, XXXIV and XXXIX (unnumbered, as issued)) are from a different example of the first Latin edition, as the size of these sheets is larger and these pages are not bound into the volume. Hardbound in dark-green pebbled cloth with maroon leather label with gilt titling on spine.

All of the 39 plates issued in Part II are included. The following is a full list of the plates sorted by the region depicted and listing the plate number of each engraving:

Africa
1. The arrival of the Dutch at Gabam (Gold Coast)
2. What the Dutch experienced in a village called Cermentyn (Gabon)
3. Portrait of Ethiopians in Mozambique, called Caffres (Mozambique)
4. How the Bantu prove their success at war (South Africa)

Middle East
5. About the Arabs and those from the kingdom of Prester John
6. How the inhavitants of the island of Hormuz live
7. Persian merchants who travel from Aleppo to Hormus

India
8. An account of the Brahman and their merchants
9. How the deceased Brahma are cremated
10. A wedding ceremony of the people near Goa
11. How the inhabitants of Balate swear an oath
12. King Hidalram's envoy in Goa
13. A portrait of an Indian actress
14. The kinds of boats used for fishing
15. The people of Malabar
16. Washing among the villagers
17. Merchant ships in India
18. The king of Cochin riding an elephant
19. A portrait of the Penekays from St. Thomas
21. The Indian idol pagodas and Moslem temples
22. Procession with the idol pagodas in the Indian kingdom of Narsinga
33. The aristocratic Portuguese in India (misnumbered as XXXII, as issued)
34. The Portuguese in India are carried in sedan chairs
35. How the Portuguese wives and daughters are transported
36. The pilgrimage of the Portuguese in India
37. A panorama view of the market at Goa (double-page folding plate)
38. How the Portuguese common-folk walk out
39. Coins and other artifacts used for trading in India

East Indies
20. People from Molucca and Java

China
23. The appearance of the Chinese folk
24. Transport for the aristocratic Chinese
25. Transport for the women of China
26. A typical Chinese ship
27. How certain Chinese become aristocrats
28. A strange ceremony of the Chinese
29. How the high ranking judges ride through the streets
30. A Chinese prison and place for execution
31. How the Chinese serve their guests and comfort the dying
32. How the Chinese bury their dead

References: Church #207.

Condition: B+

The plates are nearly all in very good condition with light soiling that is mostly confined to the bottom right corner where the pages were turned. A couple of the plates have moderate soiling, and 8 of the plates were trimmed by the bookbinder at right with small loss of image. The text is lightly toned and soiled with a small dampstain at bottom right. The title page has moderate toning and soiling. The modern covers have lightly bumped corners and a few small abrasions.