Antique Chart of the Philippines. Anson's Voyages c1748

by Seale, Richard William

Chart of the Channel in the Phillippine Islands through which the Manila Galeon passes, together with the adjacent ISLANDS.
Original map by Lord Anson, engraved by R.W. (Richard) Seale for "A Voyage around the World by Anson" published in London circa 1748.

George, Lord Anson (1697-1762) was First Lord of the Admiralty between 1754 and 1756. Anson's famous voyage in Centurion between 1740 and 1744, is one of the finest records of the sea. Initially Anson's mission was to harass Spanish shipping along the coast of South America and intercept Spanish galleons bound for Manila. After the outbreak of the War of the Austrian Succession, Anson was placed in charge of a squadron of six ships and instructed to sail to Manila and capture the Spanish colony.
Anson decided to cruise around the Philippines in the hope of intercepting Spanish treasure galleons. He charted the Philippine Islands during this period.
On 20th June 1742, while cruising off the Philippines in the hope of intercepting Spanish treasure ships, HMS Centurion attacked and overpowered Nuestra Senora de Covadonga. Covadonga was commissioned into Anson's fleet, sailed into Canton, and sold., This was the greatest treasure ship ever captured by the British Navy.

Because it was considered such an important map it is a large image, with folds to accommodate inclusion in a smaller publication. To its border this map measures 700 x 5t35mm (27.1/2 x 21 inches) and the page measures 720 x 545mm (28.1/4 x 21.1/2 inches). The paper is relatively fine with very narrow margins, and is somewhat age-discoloured with faint foxing marks throughout.