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 fine copper engraving of Paita, Peru shows the city with a large building on fire, and Dutch galleons filling the harbor. In 1614, the Dutch East India Company sent a fleet of ships under Joris van Spilbergen to the Far East via the Straits of Magellan and Peru. Spilbergen, who was instructed to strike the enemy wherever he might be found, bombarded the Spanish in Paita. On a sheet of English text measuring 9.9 x 15.6".

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Condition: A

There are light stains in the surrounding text, not affecting engraved image. The edges of the sheet are lightly toned and creases, with a short tear at top that has been archivally repaired.