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 set of engravings is still loosely held together by the original string. This section was published in Part III of de Bry's Petits Voyages, which focused on the East Indies, and includes maps and scenes from Sumatra, Java and Bali. Each engraving appears on a full sheet of German text. This set includes engravings of:

1. The natives on the island of Pugnatan (a large portion of the naked middle figure has been cut away)
2. The country-folk on the island of Sumatra
3. Map of the town and port of Banten, on Java
4. How the Dutch fought against the Javanese at Bantam
5. Plan of the town of Banten
6. Marriage and wedding ceremony in the city of Banten
7. How the upper-class people of Java parade the streets
8. The warriors of Banten
9. The foreign merchants of Banten
10. Other foreign merchants in Banten
11. The Chinese merchants who trade in Banten
12. How the Chinese worship their idols in Banten (a small portion cut away from bottom part of idol)
13. A typical council meeting in Banten
14. Farmers who live outside of Banten
15. A typical Javanese man-of-war ship
16. Other vessels used by the people of Java
17. A typical Javanese dance
18. A type of Javanese musical instrument
19. The Javanese murderous attack on the Dutch ship
20. The market of Banten with all its wares (double-page)
21. Map of the island of Bali (Contrafaytung der Insel Baly)
22. How the people of Bali transport their king
23. How the genteel folk of Bali are transported

References:

Condition: B+

Nice impressions with minor toning and light soiling, primarily confined to the blank margins. There is a light damp stain along the top edge of several sheets, not entering the images. Several sheets have tears in the text below the image, some of which have old paper repairs. The large double-page engraving of the market in Banten was removed from the binding and re-attached, although is missing a portion of the image at far right and left and is considered in lesser condition than the rest of the set. This set was previously owned by a pious individual, who cut two of the engravings to remove any signs of genitalia, as indicated in the list of engravings.