This fascinating engraving depicts Port Royal Sound and the surrounding area, and is based on the discoveries of Jean Ribault, a French naval officer. In 1562, Ribault was sent to the New World to colonize portions of southeastern US. After exploring the mouth of the St. John's River in present-day Jacksonville, Florida, Ribault and his fleet of 150 colonists headed north, finding their way to Port Royal Sound. They established a settlement on Parris Island and erected a small fort, naming it Charlesfort after the French king Charles IX. The French noted the area as being "well wooded with oak, cedar and other types of trees" and spotted wild turkeys and stags, which are depicted in the engraving. The explorers continued further up-river and came upon Native Indians who fled at the sight of the ship. The Indians left behind a wolf roasting on a spit, leading the French to name the point Prom. Lupi, which is marked on the engraving.

This engraving first appeared in de Bry's Grands Voyages in 1591, and was republished in Johann Ludwig Gottfried's Historia Antipodum, a collection of voyages. Matthaus Merian, de Bry's son-in-law and publisher for Historia Antipodum, was granted access to de Bry's copper-engraved plates. On a full sheet of German text measuring 9.2 x 14.7".

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Condition: B+

Nice impression and color with light toning along edge of sheet at right, and a few tiny tears at right that have been archivally repaired. Narrow right margin, as issued.