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 disbound chapter contains 24 engravings of Novaya Zemlya and the surrounding waters on 23 sheets. The lot features four maps, including Tabula terrae Novae Zemblae in qua fretum sinusq Waigats item ora littorialis Tartariae atq Russiae, ad urgem usq Kildeinam... Authore Gerhardo De Veer, which shows Barents' track from Lapland to the north of Novaya Zemlya in search of a Northeast passage, with the sea filled with sailing ships and strange creatures. During his voyage his ship became trapped in the ice and he and his crew were forced to survive the harsh winter. The engravings depict the crew fishing and hunting, building a boat, finding shelter, and the shipwreck on ice. Each engraving is on a full sheet of German text. Size is for the sheet; engravings are approximately 7" x 5.5".

References: Garratt (TMC-9) p. 9.

Condition: B

Light toning and some spots. Several sheets have old paper repairs on verso and a few short tears primarily in text areas. One sheet has a large chip at top just entering image.