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Each volume of the De Bry series was accompanied by graphic illustrations of the events, many made from first hand observations. These very rare prints are some of the earliest authentic images of the New World, for previous accounts either contained no illustrations or their images were crude and mostly imaginary. Thus, De Bry's prints provide an important contemporary view of the history of the nascent days of European conquest and settlement in America. The pictures show detailed scenes of 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)
We are delighted to have a selection of the De Bry prints from his Grand Voyages. These are copper engravings on small folio sheets with German text letter press. For a description of each series and a listing of the prints, follow the links below.
| Go To | Volume | Expedition |
|---|---|---|
 | Volume 1 | The English attempt at settlement in Virginia (Carolina) |
| Volume 2 | The French attempt at settlement in northern Florida |
| Volume 3 | Hans Staden's captivity by cannibals in Brazil |
| Volumes 4 - 6 | Benzoni's account of the Spanish in Central and South America |
| Volume 8 | Sir Walter Raleigh's expedition in search of El Dorado |
VIRGINIA
This work first appeared in French entitled Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde and was published from 1723-1743. It consisted of ten volumes with text and engravings to illustrate the religious rituals and beliefs of the world. Picard never left Europe but used reports and illustrations from other first hand sources. The image of this print is from the well known publication by Theodore Debry which first illustrated the indigenous peoples of Virginia.
These prints are based upon John White's drawings made during the first attempt to form a colony, and the text is based upon Thomas Hariot's A briefe and true report of the new found land of Virginia, which was issued in 1588 in order to promote Raleigh's continued efforts at founding his colony. Note: Title in brackets is from the Stefan Lorant reference: The New World: The First Pictures of America, 1965.
Bernard Picard after John White. Plate 72. [Praying Around the Fire with Rattles]. From [Accurate Description of the . . . Customs of all Peoples of the World]. Translated from French into Low German by Abraham Moubach. Hauge: Alberts; Amsterdam: Hermanus Uytwerf; and Rotterdam: Jan Beman, 1728. 12 1/4 x 8 1/4 (image). Engraving. Minor water stain in right hand side just into plate mark bottom right hand corner; not affecting image. $375
Bernard Picard after John White. Plate 73. [The Tomb of the Weroans]. From [Accurate Description of the . . . Customs of all Peoples of the World]. Translated from French into Low German by Abraham Moubach. Hauge: Alberts; Amsterdam: Hermanus Uytwerf; and Rotterdam: Jan Beman, 1728. 12 1/4 x 8 1/4 (image). Engraving. Minor water stain left hand margin not affecting image. $375
FLORIDA
This work first appeared in French entitled Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses de tous les peuples du monde and was published from 1723-1743. It consisted of ten volumes with text and engravings to illustrate the religious rituals and beliefs of the world. Picard never left Europe but used reports and illustrations from other first hand sources. The image of this print is from the well known publication by Theodore Debry which first illustrated the indigenous peoples of Florida.
In 1564, a French expedition set sail for Florida under the command of René de Laudonnière. Accompanying him was the artist Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues. Note: Title in brackets is from the Stefan Lorant reference: The New World: The First Pictures of America, 1965.
Bernard Picard after Le Moyne. Plate 75. [Saturiba Goes to War] & [Outina Consults a Sorcerer]. From [Accurate Description of the . . . Customs of all Peoples of the World]. Translated from French into Low German by Abraham Moubach. Hauge: Alberts; Amsterdam: Hermanus Uytwerf; and Rotterdam: Jan Beman, 1728. 12 1/4 x 8 1/8 (image). Engraving. $275
Bernard Picard after Le Moyne. Plate 76. [Widows Approach the Chief] & [The Mourning Widows]. From [Accurate Description of the . . . Customs of all Peoples of the World]. Translated from French into Low German by Abraham Moubach. Hauge: Alberts; Amsterdam: Hermanus Uytwerf; and Rotterdam: Jan Beman, 1728. 12 1/2 x 8 1/8 (image). Engraving. Minor printers wrinkly just into image of bottom print. $275
Bernard Picard after Le Moyne. Plate 74. [The Sacrifice of First-Born Children] & [Offering the Skin of a Stag to the Sun]. From [Accurate Description of the . . . Customs of all Peoples of the World]. Translated from French into Low German by Abraham Moubach. Hauge: Alberts; Amsterdam: Hermanus Uytwerf; and Rotterdam: Jan Beman, 1728. 12 1/2 x 8 1/8 (image). Engraving. $275
Bernard Picard after Le Moyne. Plate 77. [Burial Ceremonies for a Chief or a Priest]. From [Accurate Description of the . . . Customs of all Peoples of the World]. Translated from French into Low German by Abraham Moubach. Hauge: Alberts; Amsterdam: Hermanus Uytwerf; and Rotterdam: Jan Beman, 1728. 12 1/8 x 8 1/4 (image). Engraving. Water stain right hand margin not affecting image. $375
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