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 a complete example of the first German edition of Part VII of De Bry's Grands Voyages, disbound as a collection of signatures. It consists of all 31 folio pages of German text, a title page, the letter to the reader, and a half-page engraved plate. No plates were issued in the first edition, as they were delayed in publication and first appeared at the end of Part VIII, which was published in 1599. This part chronicles the expedition of Ulrich Schmidel (1514-1579) to South America, primarily in the regions of the Rio de la Plata, the Paraguay River, and Peru. The engraving represents Schmidel's departure from Europe, and was also used in Part III to depict Hans Staden's departure from Lisbon. The title page to this part was also reused from Part III, and shows gruesome scenes of cannibalism that contrast with the classical design of the sheet, which is rendered in the architectural style. The title page appears to be from a different example, as the size of the sheet is slightly smaller.

See also lot 787 for E.D. Church's [5 Volumes] A Catalogue of Books Relating to the Discovery and Early History of North and South America… that lists this book.

References: Church #191.

Condition: B+

The plate has minor toning, and the text also has minor toning and occasional light foxing, with a light dampstain along the binding edge at top. The title page has moderate toning and several stains, and is only in "B" condition.