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 evocative engraving after a drawing by Georg Keller depicts a scene in the great chief Powhatan's village. Inspired by the marriage of Pocahontas and John Rolfe, Sir Thomas Dale desired to have Pocahontas’ sister for his wife. He dispatched Ralph Hamor to ask Powhatan for his youngest daughter's hand in marriage. The proposal is dramatized here. Powhatan refused the request as his daughter had already been promised to another chief. A hunting scene unfolds in the background. On a sheet of Latin text measuring 9.3 x 14.1". The lot includes a title page for one of the volume's sections: Icones sive Exactae et Artificiosae Delineationes...

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Condition: B+

A sharp impression. There are light dampstains, numerous edge chips, and a few worm tracks well outside the engraved image at top.