"Americae Pars Quarta sive, Insignis & Admiranda Historia de Reperta Primum Occidentali India a Christophoro Columbo Anno M. CCCCXCII...", Bry, Theodore de

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 the title page to the Latin edition of the fourth part of Grand Voyages, focused on the Americas. Finely engraved, the plate features Columbus' three ships at bottom, along with depictions of the Indigenous peoples he encountered in the West Indies. Seated atop the engraving is a demon holding a specter, with clawed feet, horns, a bird face, reptilian wings, and a face in its abdomen.

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Condition: A

A crisp impression with light dampstaining that is almost entirely confined to the blank margins. Short edge tears and a chip in the left blank margin have been repaired with archival materials.