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 14 engravings from the first German edition of Part IV of de Bry's landmark compilation of travel and discovery narratives. This volume chronicles the first part of Girolamo Benzoni's history of the world, focusing on his travels throughout the West Indies. Benzoni, an Italian explorer, spent 15 years traveling through the Spanish possessions in the New World. He published an account of his travels in Historia del Mondo Nuovo, first published in Italian in Venice in 1565. De Bry followed a Latin translation of Benzoni's work to publish in his Grand Voyages, adding numerous engravings. This lot includes 14 of the original 24 numbered plates in Part IV, still bound together in two groups of signatures. The engravings depict Benzoni, Columbus, and their adventures in the West Indies, Central America, and northern South America. Included are:

1. Departure of Benzoni from Sanlucar, Spain
2. Flying fish and dolphins in the Atlantic
3. An old Indian woman of Venezuela
4. Indian slaves are captured to work in the pearl fisheries
5. Spanish immortality is tested on Puerto Rico
10. Columbus punishes the seditious Spanish
11. A terrifying storm hits Hispaniola
13. Columbus and his brother are arrested
14. Mutiny in Jamaica
16. Indians of Venezuela murder Spanish monks
17. The Spanish get their revenge
18. Indians are attacked near Cartagena
20. The Spanish are fed with liquid gold by the Indians of Darien
21. A strong pronouncement by an Indian on the greed of the Christians

References: Church #183.

Condition: A

The plates are mostly clean and bright with minor marginal soiling. Plates I-III have the top margins extended with old paper. Plate XIII has a small hole in the bottom margin, and Plate XIIII has a short tear in the bottom margin. Plate XVIII has a few small stains in the image, and is only in "B+" condition.