1 3

DeBryRareBooks

De Bry -“A Young Maiden of Secota" - 1590 - Virginia - Roanoke - Algonquian

De Bry -“A Young Maiden of Secota" - 1590 - Virginia - Roanoke - Algonquian

£250.00 GBP
£250.00 GBP
Sale Sold out
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
"A Young Maiden of Secota"

-Original Copperplate Engraving

-Theodore De Bry (1528-1598)

-Page 9.5 x 13 inches (23 x 33cm)

-Image 8.5 x 6 inches (22 x 15cm)

-Engraved in 1590 (This image is from the German 2nd Edition of 1600)

-Good condition with clean image. The page has been professionally restored with deacidification of the paper. Some marks to the rear 

-Verso blank

This is an original plate from Part 1 "Admiranda Narratio" of De Bry's famous set of "Grands Voyages". This part described Sir Walter Raleigh's expedition, granted by Elizabeth I, to settle the first English colony in what is now Carolina. The expedition founded the famous failed colony of Roanoke in 1585. John White was sent to be the artist for the voyage and produced a famous set of water colours. He stayed in Roanoke for over 13 months and produced over 70 images, now in the British Museum.  Once he returned to London he met Theodore De Bry, who published the images in engraved form in Thomas Hariot's account of the journey.

This is plate 5 from the series, describing how they cook their fish over the flame (BBQ).

The text for the plate reads:
 

"Virgins of good parentage of Secota wore a deer skin round their waists and necklaces of pearl and polished copper, or bone-beads round their necks. They also wore pendant ear-rings and tattoos like arm bands. Their hair was cut in a fringe at two levels across their forehead and tied in a know at the back. They pounced (tattooed) their foreheads, cheeks, arms and legs and they had large mouths and attractive black eyes. As a sign of their modesty, they often walked with their hands over their shoulders to cover their bare breasts. They took delight in seeing fish caught in the rivers."

View full details