Jamaica antique print. St Catherine's Harbour. Anson's Voyage, c1748

by Anson, George

18thC antique print. Commodore Anson's fleet in Jamaica. A view of the north entrance of the Harbour of St Catherines.

Original copperplate engraving of 7 early sailing ships, published in London in 1748 for A Voyage Round the World in the Years MDCCXL, I, II III, IV (1740,1,2,3,4) by George Anson Esquire, "the story of a remarkable voyage extremely well told".

During Britain's conflict with Spain, between 1740 and 1744 George Anson (1697-1762) led a squadron of eight ships on a mission to disrupt or capture the Pacific Ocean possessions of the Spanish Empire. Anson's voyage was notable for the capture of the Manila Galleon (Spain's regular crossing of the Pacific Ocean between the Spanish Crown's Viceroyalty of New Spain in Mexico City and its Asian territories, known as the Spanish East Indies). Returning to Britain via China Anson circumnavigated the world. He was appointed Admiral of the entire British Fleet and initiated many reforms in the navy.

This beautiful Jamaica engraving with early sailing ships has fine hand-color, wide margins all round, and a central vertical fold to accommodate a smaller publication - which has caused vertical creasing and soiling from handling. There is slight damage to page edges over the past hundreds of years. (Price reduced.) Page 295 x 480mm (11.75 x 19 inches). To intaglio impression measures 220 x 455mm (8.75 x 18 inches). (Unfortunately this large, rare engraving is too long for the scanner. Extremity pics are available.)