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 lot includes Plates VII, VIII, and IX from the third German edition of De Bry's Grands Voyages, Part I, still bound together as they might appear in the book. (Note that plate numbers and page numbers do not correspond in this edition.) The first engraving, Plate VII, shows "A Chief of Roanoke," focusing on their deerskin wraps, jewelry, hairstyle, and pose. Plate VIII depicts "A Noblewoman of Pomeiock" with her young daughter, who plays with a rattle and doll brought over from England. Plate IX presents "An Old Man in Winter Garb." It depicts an elder native of the Pomeiooc village draped in his traditional winter garments: a large skin lined with furs. Behind him is the village of Pomeiooc/Pomeiock, located near present-day Mattamuskeet Lake in eastern North Carolina. The text notes how fertile the land is compared to England. On sheets with German text below, measuring 9.0 x 13.6".

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Condition: B+

Crisp impressions on bright sheets. The right margins of the first two sheets have been trimmed by the bookbinder with minor loss to the engraved image. There are a few faint spots and marginal soiling.