Johann Theodor De Bry

12 parts in 4 volumes, folio (220 x 217mm.), parts 1-3 second editions, parts 4-12 FIRST EDITIONS, 9 titles framed with elaborately engraved borders, ILLUSTRATIONS: 240 engraved half-page illustrations, 6 full-page illustrations, 7 double-page illustrations, and 17 double-page or folding maps and plans (including 2 duplicates in part 12), EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED with 3 double-page maps and 2 single-page plans at end of part 12 (including a WORLD MAP and a plan of Jerusalem from Marino Sanuto's 1611 Liber secretorum fidelium cruces), later Spanish limp vellum, spines titled in ink, leather ties, lacking 9 leaves and maps, sections of 3 titles restored in pen and ink at head, without the 'Appendix Regni Congo', browned and some staining, some words and sections erased ink (by a censor? see footnote), some plates and maps misbound

Jean-Paul Morin, bookplate

Church 206, cf. 207 & 208 (first editions), 211, 212, 215, 217, 219, 221-224

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A RARE COLLECTION OF DE BRY'S 'PETITS VOYAGES' IN AFRICA AND ASIA, INCLUDING THE FIRST LATIN EDITION OF BALBI'S DESCRIPTION OF THE PERSIAN GULF AND THE PEARL INDUSTRY.

'Gasparo Balbi (fl. 1579-1588) was a Venetian jewel merchant, who between 1579 and 1588 travelled to the East in search of precious stones ... Balbi's business first took him to Aleppo. He then proceeded to Bir on the Euphrates, landed on the left bank and continued for a day and a half overland to Baghdad. From Baghdad he descended the Tigris to Basra and there embarked for Hormuz. While in the Persian Gulf (1580), Balbi carried out a survey of the pearl industry, then sailed for Diu and Goa.' From Goa he went to Cochin and on to Burma, where he arrived in 1583 ... 'He eventually returned to Aleppo in 1588 by way of Hormuz, Basra and Baghdad.' (Howgego, Encyclopedia of Exploration, 2003)

This copy of De Bry's Voyages bears the marks of a censor who has erased, excised, or crossed out certain illustrations or passages in the text. On the reverse of the title to the second part there is a manuscript note dated 'Granada, 1708' in which the censor states he has redacted the text. The title of this part is marked 'Prohibita cum expurgation permissa' and the initials 'A.D.' after the name of the author. Finally in the 10th part (p. 27), a manuscript note in Latin refutes a passage denouncing the cruelty of the Spaniards in America.