Matthaeus Merian, “Patagonian Succarath & Mythic Beasts”, 1655

Matthaeus Merian (also known as Matthäus Merian I) (1593–1650), or possibly Theodoor de Bry (aka Théodore de Bry, Dietrich de Bry, and Dirk de Bry) (1528–1598)

“Patagonian Succarath & Mythic Beasts”, 1655

Depicted Animals— based on early Spanish colonial descriptions of real South American wildlife with legendary creatures invented or misunderstood by early European mapmakers:

• The Succarath / Su (lower-left): a legendary monster of Patagonia described as having a human-like face, wolfish body, backwards-curving horns, and a massive, palm-like tail. Legend held that it carried its young on its back and would destroy them if hunted rather than let them be captured.
• The Manticore-like Beast / Patagonian Lioness (lower-right): A large, bear-headed predator with humanised facial features shown nursing two cubs, blending Renaissance bestiary style with early explorer descriptions of South American pumas.
• The Patagonian Unicorn (in the distance at upper-right): A slender, long-necked beast with a single spiralling horn on its head. It is seen standing on the hill below the smoking volcano.
• The Giant Crocodile / Caiman (upper-centre): A massive, armour-skinned crocodilian.
• The Jaguar / Ocelot (centre-right): Two predatory wild cats representing South America's native felines, depicted with classic heraldic, lion-like features popular in 17th-century European art.
• The Armadillo (below and closest to the crocodile): A banded armadillo foraging.
• The Anteater / Coati (at centre below the armadillo and behind the lizards): A long-nosed mammal
• Large Ground Iguana / Lizard (lower-centre): A spiked reptile resting near a twisted snake.
• The Giant Constrictor Snakes (foreground): Interlocking, coiled serpents representing the terrifyingly large snakes described by early explorers in the tropical swamps.

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on fine laid paper with full margins and German letterpress text on both recto and verso. This original book-leaf was published in Frankfurt am Main in 1655 by the Merian heirs, as part of Johann Ludwig Gottfried’s “Newe Welt und Americanische Historien.” The featured etching appears on page 614. See: https://archive.org/details/neweweltvndameri00gott/page/614/mode/2up.

The impression is strong, showing minimal signs of wear to the printing plate, indicative of an early impression. Aside from minor age-toning and a few surface marks, the sheet is in excellent condition—free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 30.7 x 19.3 cm
• Platemark: 15.5 x 18 cm
• Image borderline: 15 x 17.3 cm

Letterpress text (recto):

• Above image: (left) “614”; (centre) “West Indianischer Historien” (Translation: “West Indian histories”)
• Main text paragraph directly below image begins: “In der Insul ein grob steinern Bild gefunden / wie ein Weib gestaltet / ...” (Translation: “On the island a large stone image [statue] was found, shaped like a woman...”)

Summary of Topics Covered in the Text:

• Indigenous Idols & Spanish Conquest: Discusses the discovery of a large stone statue of a woman on an island. It notes that the indigenous people made offerings to it, but when the Spanish overthrew it without facing divine retribution, the locals realised they had been deceived by a false idol.
• Volcanic Activity in El Salvador: Details a massive, active volcano in the province of San Salvador with a crater deep enough to walk down into, warning of deadly, fainting-inducing sulphur smoke venting from lime-kiln-like fissures.
• The Destruction of Nicaragua: Mentions a devastating volcanic eruption in Nicaragua that completely collapsed a mountainside, burying and destroying the homes of the native inhabitants in the valley below.
• Natural Wonders & Unique Waters: Chronicles unusual geological anomalies, including a toxic night-flowing stream near the village of Nixapa, a river in Choluteca that vanishes entirely by afternoon, and a pair of springs in Mimilla where one runs boiling hot and the other ice cold.
• The Secret to Native Ink: Describes the volcano of Nicaragua near the capital of Leon, noting that mixing its volcanic earth with the juice of a local fruit called Nacolo produces an exceptionally high-quality black writing ink.

Price & Shipping:

AU$279 (approximately US$193.71 / €169.32 / £145.10), including worldwide express shipping. Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this historically significant 17th-century leaf capturing European imagination of South American animals and landscapes—please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold