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Description

Fine example of Theodore De Bry's reduction of Jodocus Hondius' broadside map illustrating the Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the World in 1577-1580.

The map shows Drake's route (with tiny ships noting the direction of Drake's course) and displays a portrait of Drake at the top and illustration of his ship at the bottom. The map is further embellished with sea monsters and an elegant strapwork motif, reminiscent of Mercator's world map.

The exact date of the Hondius-Drake broadside is not known but believed to be the work of a young Jodocus Hondius, circa 1595.

The map appeared in several editions of De Bry's America Part VIII, beginning in 1599. The present example appeared in the 1600 German edition.

As the Hondius broadside is virtually unobtainable, the present map is highly sought after among collectors.

Reference
Shirley 219.
Theodor De Bry Biography

Theodor de Bry (1528-1598) was a prominent Flemish engraver and publisher best known for his engravings of the New World. Born in Liege, de Bry hailed from the portion of Flanders then controlled by Spain. The de Brys were a family of jewelers and engravers, and young Theodor was trained in those artisanal trades.

As a Lutheran, however, his life and livelihood were threatened when the Spanish Inquisition cracked down on non-Catholics. De Bry was banished and his goods seized in 1570. He fled to Strasbourg, where he studied under the Huguenot engraver Etienne Delaune. He also traveled to Antwerp, London, and Frankfurt, where he settled with his family.

In 1590, de Bry began to publish his Les Grands Voyages, which would eventually stretch to thirty volumes released by de Bry and his two sons. The volumes contained not only important engraved images of the New World, the first many had seen of the geographic novelties, but also several important maps. He also published a collection focused on India Orientalis. Les Grands Voyages was published in German, Latin, French, and English, extending de Bry’s fame and his view of the New World.