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.

The first plate from Part VI of de Bry's Grands Voyages, this dramatic engraving depicts Francisco Pizarro in 1524, plotting the conquest of Peru with fellow conquistador Diego de Almagro and the priest Hernando de Luque. After two expeditions to Peru from his base in Panama, Pizarro returned to Spain to convince the crown that there were riches to be captured in Peru. On July 26, 1529, Queen Isabel, with the Charles V's support, signed the Capitulación de Toledo, authorizing Pizarro to return to Peru for the third time and conquer the land. On a sheet of Latin text measuring 9.3 x 13.5".

References: Church #158.

Condition: B+

On a lightly toned sheet with a tiny abrasion in the map image and a few wormtracks in the bottom blank margin that have been infilled with archival materials.