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 early engraving depicts native Virginians making a canoe using fire and shells to scrape the interior recess of the canoe. The scene includes the process of using fire to fell trees and burn off the branches. Engraved by Theodore de Bry, whose initials are at bottom center. It originally appeared in Grands Voyages, Part I in 1590. This example appeared in Johann Ludwig Gottfried's Historia Antipodum, an abridgement of De Bry's voyages to America that incorporated much new material. Matthaus Merian, de Bry's son-in-law and publisher for Historia Antipodum, was granted access to de Bry's copper-engraved plates. On a sheet of German text measuring 8.9 x 13.5".

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Condition: B+

On a lightly toned sheet with light soiling that is only visible outside engraved image. The right margin is trimmed to plate mark, and there is a bit of show-through of text on verso.