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 is Plate V from the first Latin edition of Part V of de Bry's Grands Voyages. This scene illustrates five Spanish ships launching an attack on 2 larger French vessels in the background. Despite one of the French ships having successfully fired a cannonball and causing significant damage to the Spanish flagship, the French captain insisted that the crew surrender to the Spanish. Thus, "it was only through his cowardice that the French were overtaken" and the "local inhabitants celebrated as if the whole of France had been taken." On a sheet of Latin text measuring 9.1 x 13.5".

References: Church #156; Van Groesen (De Bry's America) p. 236.

Condition: A

A crisp impression with a single spot along the right border. There is light offsetting in the text above and below the engraving.