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 fascinating lot includes the title page, text, all 22 plates on Virginia Natives, and 5 plates of Picts that were included in the second Latin edition of Part I of de Bry's Grands Voyages. Nearly all pages are from the second edition, first issue, although likely from different examples due to slight inconsistencies in paper sizes. However, the title page is from the first edition, first issue. This lot does not include the map of Virginia or the frontispiece of Adam and Eve, which was unnumbered but considered to be the first plate. Each of the plates is accompanied by Latin text either below the plate or on an opposing page, and all plates have blank versos. The plates depict:

II. The English arrive in Virginia. Condition: A small hole in the engraving at left, a small ink stain in the center, and heavy soiling along the right edge of the engraving. Trimmed to the edge of the engraving at right. (B)
III. A Weroans, or Chieftain, of Virginia. Condition: Light toning with a tiny stain at left and trimmed to the edge of the engraving at right. (B+)
IIII. One of the Chief Ladies of Secota. Condition: Minor toning. (A)
V. A Secota Priest. Condition: A few tiny rust spots in the image and marginal toning and soiling. There are tiny chips along the edges of the sheet. (B+)
VI. A Young Gentlewoman of Secota. Condition: Clean and bright. (A+)
VII. A Chief of Roanoke. Condition: Small chips and tears along the top edge of the sheet. (A)
VIII. A Noblewoman of Pomeiock. Condition: One tiny rust spot in the image and marginal toning. (A)
IX. An Old Man in Winter Garb. Condition: Minor toning and some tiny chips and tears along the top and bottom edges of the sheet. (A)
X. How the Chief Ladies of Dasamonquepeio Carry their Children. Condition: One small rust spot in the center of the image. (A)
XI. The Sorcerer. Condition: Trimmed close to the edge of the image at right, with marginal soiling. (A)
XII. How They Build Boats in Virginia. Condition: Short tears, a few tiny chips, and soiling confined to the edges of the sheet. (A)
XIII. How They Catch Fish. Condition: There is a printer's crease in the image at bottom left, and some tiny chips within the image at right. Trimmed at bottom with loss of just a tiny sliver of the image. (B)
XIIII. How They Cook their Fish. Condition: Minute tears along the edges of the sheet. (A+)
XV. How They Boil Meal in Earthenware Pots. Condition: Minor toning. (A)
XVI. How They Eat. Condition: Soiling along the right edge of the sheet. (A)
XVII. Praying Around the Fire with Rattles. Condition: Minor foxing on the text page. (A)
XVIII. The Dances at their Great Feasts. Condition: Light toning and scattered foxing with significant creasing along the centerfold, two dampstains that just enter the image at top, and chipping along the edges of the sheet. (B)
XIX. The Town of Pomeiock. Condition: Light toning along the right edge of the sheet. (A)
XX. The Town of Secota. Condition: There is a small rust stain in the image at bottom and a printer's crease at right. Trimmed at right with loss of about 3-4 mm of the image. (B)
XXI. The Idol Kewas. Condition: Minor marginal foxing. (A)
XXII. The Tomb of the Weroans. Condition: Light toning and foxing. (B+)
XXIII. The Marks of the Chief Men of Virginia. Condition: Tiny chips along the edges of the sheet. (A)
I. Pictiicon. Condition: A hint of soiling. (A)
II. Fminae Pictaeicon. Condition: Minor foxing mostly confined to the blank margins. (A)
III. Virginis Pictaeicon. Condition: Several printer's creases in the image and a hint of soiling. (A)
IIII. Alterius viri Pictis Viciniicon. Condition: Minor foxing mostly confined to the blank margins and a short tear in the text page. (A)
V. Feminae Pictis Vicinaeicon. Condition: Very light toning and minor foxing with a few small chips along the top edge of the sheet. (B+)

References: Church #142.

Condition:

Overall, 19 of the plates are in "A" condition, 4 are in "B+" condition, and 4 are in "B" condition. The title page has a hole within the title where a previous owner scratched out "Fida Tamen" in ink, and a large chip at top left, just outside of the engraved image. The text is in very good condition with very light toning and foxing.