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 is a partial, disbound chapter of Part V of De Bry's Petits Voyages consisting of all 66 pages German text, two title pages, and 11 (of 20) plates, as well as 6 additional plates from Part II of Petits Voyages. This part contains the expeditions of the Dutch to the East Indies, including stops in Mauritius, Madera, the Moluccas, Amboy, Banda, Bantan, etc. Besides depictions of those places, they include various games and horsemanship, sailing ships, native canoes, ceremonies, elephants, native menageries, etc. The plates each have printed text at the bottom with blank versos. The plates are:

1. A drawing of the island of Mauritius (Mauritius)
2. The Dutch of the Isle of Mauritius (Mauritius)
3. Celebrating the arrival of the Dutch in Turban (Java)
5. (from Part II) About the Arabs and those from the kingdom of Prester John (Middle East)
6. (from Part II) How the inhabitants of the island of Hormuz live (Middle East)
7. (from Part II) Persian merchants who travel from Aleppo to Hormus (Middle East)
8. (from Part II) An account of the Brahman and their merchants (India)
9. (from Part II) How the deceased Brahma are cremated (India)
11. (from Part II) How the inhabitants of Balagate [Balaghat?] swear an oath (India)
12. How the Dutch were met by the king of Ternate (Halmahera - North Moluccas)
13. A description of the town of Gamme Lamme and its surroundings (Halmahera - North Moluccas)
14. The procession of the king of Ternate (Halmahera - North Moluccas)
16. The galleons of Banda and Ternate (Moluccas)
17. How the king of Turban received the Dutch (Moluccas)
18. The king shows the Dutch the exterior of his palace (Moluccas)
19. Different chambers in the king's court (Moluccas)
20. The wives and concubines of the king (Moluccas)

References:

Condition: B+

There is minor toning and light soiling throughout with small tears and chips along the edges of a few of the sheets. Plate VI has a 2" square cut from the image (that showed couples bathing together in large baths).