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 curious engraving first appeared in both Part III and Part IV of de Bry's Grands Voyages and was republished in a compendium of de Bry's engravings of the America put out by his heir, Johann Theodore de Bry. It comes from Jean de Léry's account of his travels across the Atlantic to Brazil. The engraving shows the ship surrounded by a frenzy of flying fish. The fish are fleeing albacores and seabirds, with several bashing into the mast and getting caught by sailors on board. On a sheet of German text measuring 9.2 x 13.4".

References: Van Groesen (De Bry's America) p. 184 & 198.

Condition: B+

There are a couple minor spots in engraved image and minor toning in the text.