"[On 2 Sheets] A Cidade de Angra na Ilha de Iesu Xpo da Tercera", Bry, Theodore de
Subject: Terciera, Azores
Period: 1601 (published)
Publication: Tertia Pars Indiae Orientas, Part III
Color: Black & White
21.7 x 15.6 inches
55.1 x 39.6 cm
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.
A very detailed view of the island of Terciera in the Azores most prominently showing the town of Angra. From their discovery by the Portuguese in the 1400s, the Azores were an important re-supply point for ships sailing across the Atlantic and to Asia via the Cape. This birds-eye view is a slight reduction of Linschoten's rare view of Terciera from his Itinerario. The title cartouche, coat of arms, and two decorative text boxes dominate the upper part of the map. A compass rose and another decorative text box, crediting Linschoten and describing the island, are at the bottom. The map is decorated with numerous arriving and departing ships in the harbor and a large and extremely complex compass rose. The fort of S. Sebastiao and several major buildings are located.
Crisp, strong engraving issued folding on two sheets, unjoined. There are a few tiny separations along the folds and a few tiny edge tears that have been archivally repaired. The first image is a composite image - the map in in two separate sheets.