(16th century)
The Towne of Pomeiooc, with accompanying text page in German, first edition, from Thomas Hariot's, [Admirando Narratio: A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Lande of Virginia.], published and engraved by Theodor de Bry (1528-1598), Frankfort 1590, after a watercolor by colonist John White (fl. 1585-1593), featuring a native North Carolinia Algonquian (or Powatan Confederacy) village, signed lower right in plate "T.B.", engraving on laid paper, one with Strasbourg lily watermark, 12-3/8 x 8-5/8 in. (each page); within one wood frame, not colored, glue tacked at top to card backing (acidic), light toning, restoration to left margin of village and at tear lower left of text page. Notes: Transcribed text: The towns of this country are in a manner like unto those which are in Florida, yet are they not so strong nor yet preserved with so great care. They are compassed about with poles stark fast in the ground, but they are not very strong. The entrance is very narrow as may be seen by this picture, which is made according to the form of the town of Pomeiooc. There are but few houses therein, save those which belong to the king and his nobles. On the one side is their temple separated from the other houses, and marked with the letter A. It is built round, and covered with skin mats, and as it were compassed about with curtains without windows, and has no light but by the door. On the other side is the king?s lodging marked with the letter B. Their dwellings are built with certain [potes] sticks fastened together, and covered with mats which they turn up as high as they think good, and so receive in the light and other. Some are also covered with boughs of trees, as every man lusts or likes best. They keep their feasts and make good cheer together in the middle of the town as it is described in the 17 figure. When the town stands far from the water they dig a great pond noted with the letter C where hence they fetch as much water as they need.

This rare engraving was based on White?s watercolor painting, ?Indian Village of Pomeiooc.? It was drawn during his visit in 1585 to what was then known as Virginia (now North Carolina). He was a member of the first Virginia expedition sent out by Sir Walter Raleigh, and then appointed governor of the colony in Roanoke.
Theodor de Bry never traveled to the colonies. This image depicts Native American life interpreted through European eyes, pronounced in the organized and tamed cultivation surrounding the fortified village and the strange interpretation of central meeting house with curiously church-like features. However off in translation, it represents one of the earliest views of civilization in the colonies.. Provenance: A Private Massachusetts Collection

not colored, glue tacked at top to card backing (acidic), light toning, restoration to left margin of village and at tear lower left of text page