De Bry's Pars Quarta Indiae orientalis - Volume with 22 Engravings

De Bry's Pars Quarta Indiae orientalis - Volume with 22 Engravings
This significant, historic volume is Theodor de Bry's Pars Quarta Indiae orientalis: qua Primum varii generis Animalia, Fructus, Arbores: Item Aromata seu Species & Materialia... Secundo: Novissima Hollandorum in Indiam Orientalem navigatio. It is the fourth part or volume of Grands Voyages which is considered one of the most remarkable collections of voyages published in the Age of Discovery. This volume was published in Frankfurt am Main by Matthaeus Becker in 1601.

The volume includes general title within engraved border, 21 half page engraved illustrations. The volume is bound in late 19th century full calf, Cambridge style gilt. It is considered the first edition of the fourth volume depicting Linschoten's narrative. It deals mainly with natural history, chapters on flora and fauna from an account of the first Dutch voyage to the East Indies under Cornelis de Houtman, and a summary of the expedition there led by Neck and Warwijck.

Theodor de Bry (1528-1598) was a prominent Flemish engraver and publisher. He came from a family of jewelers and engravers, and faced persecution for his Lutheran faith during the Spanish Inquisition. De Bry would be most known for his engravings of the New World from Grands Voyages, a work which would reach 30 volumes in scope. He was inspired to create this work after meeting Richard Hakluyt in 1587, who had published his own collection of voyages.

De Bry's landmark work depicted the early voyages and settlements in the Americas. His work greatly influenced the European view of the Americas for a long period of time. De Bry's prints provide an important contemporary view of European conquest and settlement in early America. The images depict native customs, culture and warfare, and episodes in the history of European contact with these natives and their world. As Michael Alexander said, De Bry's work "brought to the European public the first realistic visualization of the exotic world opened up across the Atlantic by the explorers, conquerors and settlers." (Discovering the New World, p. 7)


Paper Size: ~ 12 1/4" by 8"

The work is very good to excellent condition overall. There may be a few minor fox marks or imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.