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 Johann Theodore's son-in-law, Matthaus Merian, in 1624.

This lot of classic engravings comes from the third German edition of Part I of de Bry's Grands Voyages. Plate XI, Auff Waserley Weise sie bey Ihnen die Weidlinge Zurichten (How They Build Boats in Virginia), depicts native Virginians making a canoe using fire and shells to scrape the interior recess of the canoe. The scene includes the process of using fire to fell trees and burn off the branches. Engraved by Theodore de Bry, whose initials are at bottom center. Plate X, Der Schwartzkunstler oder Zauberer (The Sorcerer), presents a conjurer or juggler, a respected member of the Indigenous community who communes with devils and engages in supernatural enchantments. The text describes the sorcerer's fashion, which includes a black bird fastened above the ear. Engraved by Gijsbert van Veen, credited at bottom left. Plate XV, Waserley Weise sie zu Essen Pflegen (How They Eat), shows an Indigenous man and woman seated on opposite ends of a stiff grass mat, dining on boiled maize, deer meat, and fish. De Bry is once again credited as engraver. On sheets of German text measuring 9.3 x 13.4".

References: Church #178; Van Groesen (De Bry's America) p. 68-9 & 74.

Condition: B

All three engravings are on lightly toned sheets with marginal foxing and/or staining. Plate XI has a light spot in engraved image and a small old paper repair along plate mark at right. There is no margin at right, and a sliver of engraved image has been trimmed away. Plate X has a few printer's creases and has been trimmed to edge of plate at left, with a tiny chip in an unengraved area. Plate XV has light spots and a few small abrasions at left and bottom of engraving.