Antique Books, Maps, & Prints of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 58044:
Description
This historic engraving is from Johann Ludwig Gottfried’s
Newe Welt und Americanische Historien. Inhaltende Warhafftige und vollkommene Beschreibungen Aller West-Indianischen Landschafften, Insulen, Königreichen und Provintzien, Seecusten etc. This is from the second edition of the handsomely illustrated travel work abridged from De Bry’s
Grands Voyages. The work was published in Frankfurt by Matthaeus Merian in 1655. It was an important work documenting the early exploration, conquest, and colonization of the New World which heavily influenced European perception of America.
Johann Ludwig Gottfried was a German publisher. He inherited Theodor De Bry’s firm, and subsequently issued the work shown here. De Bry had received the paintings and records from both the French and English expeditions to settle colonies in America in the late 16th century. The illustrators from the expeditions were Jacques Le Moynes de Morgues and John White. De Bry transferred these images to copper plates from which Gottfried constructed the present work. He also included illustrations from other European artists based on textual descriptions (thus the images of mermaids or dragons). Merian also added or re-engraved some of the plates that had become too worn. Gottfried handled the editing and translation.
Borba de Moraes noted of the work "It is obvious that the
Newe Welt is an important and magnificent work. It is greatly sought after, expensive and rare." Michiel van Groesen noted in
America Abridged… it could be "Considered the apotheosis of the collection of voyages to the New World.”
Condition report:
The work is in very good condition overall. The far left and right plate marks are printed to the edge or closely cropped. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint marks to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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