Montanus' work was perhaps the greatest illustrated book on the New World produced in the seventeenth century. It contained over one hundred beautifully engraved plates, views, and maps of North and South America. The plates vividly depict forts, festivals, occupations, Dutch fleets, battles, religious rites, and customs of the native inhabitants. This important work was translated into German by Olivier Dapper, and into English by John Ogilby. Several of the plates were later acquired by Pierre Vander Aa.

This lot includes 24 striking plates from John Ogilby's English translation of Arnoldus Montanus' De Nieuwe en Onbekende Weereld. The engravings cover a wide range of subject matter, including the indigenous peoples of the Americas and their customs, encounters with European explorers, local flora and fauna, battle scenes, and city views. Among the highlights is a scene of Virginia natives worshiping an idol; the conquistadors Balboa, Pizarro, and Cortez; Sir Francis Drake; the customs of Mexico's indigenous peoples; the conquest of Paita; llamas in Peru; and much more. Size refers to plate measurements; sheets with English text measure approximately 10.3 x 16.3". 14 of the plates are in color, 10 in black & white. In addition to the plates, there are 7 sheets with just text.

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Condition: B+

The plates are generally nice impressions, most on watermarked sheets, with short edge tears and light toning and/or foxing that is largely confined to the margins. A handful of the sheets are lightly dampstained, and a couple of them have a few associated tears in the engraved image. Sheets appear to have been pulled from various examples.