The new world : Virginia, Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, Brazil, Peru : 1590-1602

Discovering the Americas

Two new continents revealed by Theodore de Ury

When Flemish engraver and publisher Theodore de Bry issued the first volume of his America series in 1590, the New World was truly novel to most Europeans. Gleaned from the travel accounts of adventurers like Thomas Harriot, Sir Francis Drake, and Sir Walter Raleigh, De Bry's magnificent engravings brought the new continent and its inhabitants to an enraptured audience across the Atlantic.

From « Virginia » (today's North Carolina) and Florida to Central America and down into Patagonia, the first nine volumes of America depict scenery and encounters between Native Americans and Europeans, revealing the latter's perceptions of the former. Portrayals of European discovery and Native American customs were based on the explorers' reports as well as De Bry's own imagination - he himself never travelled to the New World. Although based in Frankfurt, De Bry laid the foundations of the series while in London, collaborating with artists John White and Jacques Le Moyne, whose original watercolours he adapted for the opening two volumes. With his sons. De Bry formed a family enterprise known for exquisite copper engravings and high-quality illustrations unrivalled in their mastery.

The legacy of America is profound, colouring Europe's earliest visions of the Atlantic world. Throughout the following centuries, countless European illustrations would draw inspiration from the spectacular collection. This edition pays homage to De Bry's finesse, reprinting all 218 plates from the first nine volumes alongside their respective frontispieces and continental maps. Exceptionally rare even at the time of completion, De Bry's hand-coloured America can finally be admired by all.

Legendary arthouse TASCHEN turned 45 ! Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible publishing, helping bookworms around the world curate their own library of art, anthropology and aphrodisia at an unbeatable price. The 45 series presents new editions of some of the stars of our programme - now more compact, even friendlier in price, and still realised with the same commitment to impeccable production. Celebrate 45 years of books for optimists : inclusive, independent and inspirational.