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.

Two sheets from the German edition issued by Matthaus Merian, De Bry's son-in-law. First is the scene of Francis Drake’s fleet of five ships reaching the Rio de la Plata in April, 1578. Second is a macabre scene of the first Spanish colony at Buenos Aires in which the colonists were reduced to cannibalism.

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Condition: B

Tiny bit of minor foxing in one plate.