Exploring the Early Americas

The Jay I. Kislak Collection

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The persistence of romantic and dramatic images of New World creatures is evident even as late as 1671, as exemplified by the images in this book.  The book is lavishly illustrated with 125 copper engravings including 32 folded views, 70 plates, 16 maps and 7 portraits of famous explorers, each surrounded by baroque framed borders. This elaborate book illustrates the battles, festivals, religious rites (including cannibalism), habitations, and customs of the Indians of America.  The meticulously drawn scenes include Dutch New Amsterdam in eastern North America, Caribbean ports and islands, and numerous ports and cities on both the east and west coasts of South America.
The persistence of romantic and dramatic images of New World creatures is evident even as late as 1671, as exemplified by the images in this book.  The book is lavishly illustrated with 125 copper engravings including 32 folded views, 70 plates, 16 maps and 7 portraits of famous explorers, each surrounded by baroque framed borders. This elaborate book illustrates the battles, festivals, religious rites (including cannibalism), habitations, and customs of the Indians of America.  The meticulously drawn scenes include Dutch New Amsterdam in eastern North America, Caribbean ports and islands, and numerous ports and cities on both the east and west coasts of South America.