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 striking engraving is Plate XLII (the final plate) from Part II of de Bry's Grands Voyages, which details the French adventures in Florida between 1562-65. It depicts the murder of Pierre Gambie (spelled "Gambre" in some sources), a prosperous Frenchman who married into the family of a Florida chief. While traveling by canoe to Fort Caroline with two Indigenous men, he was killed with his back turned as he tended to a fire. The murder was motivated by revenge (Gambie had previously attacked a tribesman) and greed for the riches he had aboard the canoe. From the first German edition, published in 1591. On a sheet of German text measuring 9.4 x 12.5".

References: Church #179; Van Groesen (De Bry's America) p. 145.

Condition: B+

There is a minor vertical crease at left and a narrow right margin. Light soiling and a small dampstain are confined to the text and margins.