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 disbound example of the sole German edition of Part VIII of De Bry's Petits Voyages. It consists of all 114 pages of Latin text, a title page, and 15 plates, lacking the 3 double-page engravings. The volume chronicles five Dutch voyages to the East Indies in the first decade of the 17th century, as the Dutch East India Company was establishing itself in the region, including Jacob Corneliszoon van Neck's second expedition in 1600-04. Although a majority of the volume focuses on the East Indies, there are detours to Calicut, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, and China, as reflected by a handful of the plates. The plates are accompanied with German captions below the image. The listing of the plates is as follows:

I) The King of Ternate's Banquet for Admiral van Neck
II) How the Natives of Ternate Go Fishing
III) The Penalty of Adultery in Patani
IV) A Procession of the Queen of Patani
V) Elephant Hunting in Patani
VI) How the Dutch Conquered the Island of Annabon
VII) The Penalty for Criminal Offence
VIII) How the King of Matacalo Meets the Dutch as They Come Aboard
IX) How Vice-Admiral Sebald de Weert and His Men Were Attacked
X) The King of Achin's Son Is Waited on by Women
XI) The Arrival of the Dutch in Patani
Appendix III) Conquest of a Large Portuguese Ship
Appendix IV) A Treaty of Friendship Between the Dutch and the King of Calicut
Appendix V) The Layout of the Town and Fortress of Ambon
Appendix VI) The Dutch Arrive at Tidore, Together with the King of Ternate

This disbound example consists of several bound groups of signatures, with a few pages loose, and all edges gilt.

References: Church #239.

Condition: A

The text and plates are mostly clean and bright with minor occasional toning. The title page has a few minor spots of foxing and there is a small paper label on the verso of both engraved title pages. This example is an excellent candidate for rebinding.