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 set of engravings is from de Bry's Petits Voyages, with two maps and an engraving of Madagascar from Part III and five engravings from Africa from Part IV. Each engraving appears on a full sheet of German text.

Madagascar:
Plate VIII. Map of Madagascar (Die Insel Madagascar / Insula de S. Laurety) -- Part III
Plate XII. A map of the villages on the island of Santa Maria, just off the coast of Madagascar -- Part III
Plate XI. A portrait of the king of Madagascar -- Part III

Africa (general):
Plate X. The way they fish by night -- Part VI
Plate XVII. The Natives' clothing and how they adorn themselves -- Part VI
Plate XVIII. How a funeral ceremony is carried out -- Part VI

Gabon:
Plate XIX. How the chief of Cabo Lopo Gonsalves presents himself -- Part VI
Plate XX. More inhabitants of Cabo Lopo Gonsalves -- Part VI

References:

Condition: B

The sheets have light toning and soiling with a few small worm holes at far left. The map of Madagascar has 1/4" of image trimmed at right, as done by the binder. Plate XVIII has a large chip at bottom right, just entering image in corner. Plate XX has several small chips in image at bottom right.