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A. Rooland. "De Schlagt tussen de Hollandse Fregatte…en de Engelse Fregatte…den 30 May 1781 op de Hoogale van de Caap St. Marie geschiet is." Augsburg: Georg Balthasar Probst, ca. 1781. 11 x 16. Engraving by G.M. Probst. Original hand color. Trimmed close to image and text. Some old creases and chipping; expertly conserved and lined with rice paper.
A print showing a sea battle during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War (1780-1784). On May 29, 1781, two Dutch frigates, the Castor and Den Briel, on their way to escort a Dutch fleet, ran into two English ships, the Flora and the Crescent. The Dutch ships ran off the British frigates, but the next day the British returned and engaged the Dutch in a fierce battle. The Castor was forced to surrender to the Flora, but this was followed by the Crescent striking to Den Briel, the only time during this war that a British ship lost a naval battle to the Dutch. This dramatic image was a popular print issued in Augsburg for those interested in the events of this conflict. $625
Robert Dodd. "…the Gallant Defense of Captn. Pearson in his Majesty's Ship SERAPIS, and the COUNTESS OF SCARBOROUGH Arm'd Ship Captn. Piercy, against Paul Jones's Squadron, whereby a valuable Fleet from the Baltic were prevented from falling into the hands of the Enemy…" London: John Harris, 1 Decr. 1781. Engraving by J. Peltro. 12 x 17 1/2. Early hand color. Trimmed to platemarks, mounted on old board. Stable. Very good appearance. Not in Cresswell book but in dissertation #526.
One of a number of British prints showing the battle between John Paul Jones' Bon Homme Richard and H.M.S. Serapis. In 1779, John Paul Jones was given command of a French ship, the obsolete East Indiaman, Duras, 40 guns. He rechristened her the Bon Homme Richard in honor of Franklin's highly popular Maxims of Poor Richard. Jones sailed for the English coast to await the Baltic fleet, where at dusk, off Flamborough Head on the Yorkshire coast, Jones sighted 41 merchant vessels, escorted by the Serapis, 44 guns. Jones proceeded to attack, in hopes of capturing the fleet. Lashed together most of the time, the ships pounded each other with fury. The captain of the Serapis called again and again for Jones' surrender, which elicited Jones' famous reply, "I have not yet begun to fight." It was only when the main mast on the Serapis threatened to fall that her captain decided to surrender.
The title of this British print does not name Jones' ship and calls attention to the fact that Jones led a squadron against the single British war ship. Subsequent historians have agreed that while Jones won the engagement, the strategic victory went to Captain Pearson because he prevented the Baltic fleet from being captured. The British Navy was able to use the supplies from the Baltic fleet to provision itself for the continuance of the war against Spain, France and Holland, as well as the American colonies. This scene, based on Dodd's famous painting, shows the moment when the Alliance, captained by a jealous and half-mad Frenchman, poured a broadside into both ships when the Bon Homme Richard and Serapis were bound together. A classic image of an important sea battle. $1,500
M. Brown. "…This Print of the CELEBRATED VICTORY obtained by the British Fleet under the Command of Earl Howe, over The French Fleet ON THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE, 1794…" London: Daniel Orme, Oct. 1, 1795. Engraving by D. Orme. 17 x 22 1/2. Some marginal repaired tears and wear, a few light creases in image, but overall condition and impression very good. In early wood frame.
A striking and quite scarce engraving showing the British naval victory over the French on the "Glorious First of June, 1794." In early 1793 shortly after the execution of Louis XVI, Revolutionary France declared war on the alliance of the German Empire, Spain, Holland and Great Britain. The first naval battle of the war was fought on June 1, 1794 west of Ushant, off the Brittany Peninsula. A French fleet of 26 warships, under Admiral Louis Villaret de Joyeuse, was escorting a convoy of grain ships across the Atlantic when he was intercepted by a similar British fleet under Admiral, Lord Richard Howe. In this decisive action, six French ships were captured and one was sunk, giving the British a "glorious" victory, despite the fact that the supply ships were able to slip away into the harbor at Brest as the British fleet was too battered to pursue them. The British were quite frightened at the time of the entire Revolutionary movement in France, so the British public was exhilarated by this victory, to the extent that thereafter it was always known as the "Glorious First of June." This excellent engraving is after a painting by M. Brown, "Historical Painter to their R.H. the Duke & Duchess of York," and was engraved and published by Daniel Orme, "Historical Engraver to his Majesty & his R.H. the Prince of Wales." It was issued very shortly after the event and it was a celebration of the victory to be hung in prominent homes in England. $1,200
Nodet. "Conquête de la Flotte Hollandaise sur la Glace le 25 Nivose An 3 (14 Janvier 1795)" Paris: Chez Jean, ca. 1795. Engraving by Le Beau. 13 3/8 x 19. Repaired tear just to image at left; small area with paper skinned on verso, but front surface intact. Very good condition.
A wonderful contemporary French print of a great victory by the Revolutionary Army over the Dutch Republic. In the late 18th century, the Stadtholders of the United Provinces were opposed by the democratically inclined "Patriotic" party. The Patriotic forces gained control for a while, but then the King of Prussia restored the Stadtholders to power. When the French Revolution broke out, France was able to conquer and annex the Southern Netherlands (now Beligum) and then moved against the United Provinces. Dutch power resided primarily in their unequalled fleet, but an extraordinarily cold winter ended up immobilizing their ships in ice, allowing the French army to attack across the frozen waters and conclusively defeat the Dutch. The French set up the Patriotic party in power, establishing the Batavian Republic along the model of the French Republic. This excellent contemporary French print shows this unusual and important battle. $875
P.J. de Loutherbourg. “Battle of the Nile, Fought August 1, 1798.” London: James Fittler, 1801. 22 2/2 x 30. Engraving. Margins trimmed to plate marks. Otherwise, very good condition.
A dramatic naval print by Philipp Jakob de Loutherbourg of a 1798 English naval victory over the French. Loutherbourg (1740-1812) was a well established French artist who worked within the Romantic school at the end of the eighteenth century. In 1771 Loutherbourg moved to London where he eventually became a member of the Royal Academy and received a number of commissions for varied work. He was particularly known for his paintings of landscapes and animals, but this image establishes his ability to excel at naval scenes as well. In the foreground French seamen are depicted floating on debris awaiting rescue. The numerous figures on board the ships, engaged in fierce battle, combined with the smoke of the cannon and choppy seas, gives this print an immediacy that is most dramatic.
The Battle of the Nile was fought by the British fleet under Horatio Nelson and the French Revolutionary fleet at Abu Qir Bay, near Alexandria, Egypt. Napoleon ordered the French fleet to sail to Alexandria in order to disrupt British trade routes in Asia. The French fleet was able to elude the British fleet and reach Abu Qir Bay. Nelson discovered the French fleet at twilight and immediately attacked. During the all night battle, the British destroyed or captured all but two of the thirteen French ships. This victory secured British control of the Mediterranean. $2,100
"Blowing up of the Fire Ship Intrepid commanded by Capt. Somers in the Harbour of Tripoli on the Night of the 4th. Sept. 1804." From The Port Folio. December 1810. Line engraving. Hand color. 9 3/4 x 14. Backed with archival tissue. Well pressed, but old folds as issued are evident. Very good condition. Ref.: E. Newbold Smith, American Naval Broadsides: 43, pl. 29 and Irving Olds, Bits and Pieces: 112.
The first Barbary War (1801-1805) was a result of President Jefferson's refusal to pay an increased tribute to Tripoli (now Libya) one of the Barbary States of North Africa along with of Algiers, Tunis and Morocco. These piratical states had been extracting tribute from the European powers since the eighteenth century, in order to ensure the safety of their vessels sailing in the Mediterranean. When the United States became independent, it was deemed prudent to take up this practice, and so the Americans began paying their own tribute in 1784. In 1801, the pasha of Tripoli demanded an increased tribute, to $225,000, from the new President. This Jefferson, who had long argued against the tribute, refused, and the pasha declared war on the United States on May 14, 1801.
The United States sent navy ships to blockade the Barbary ports and they had some success, though in 1803 the frigate USS Philadelphia ran aground in Tripoli Harbor and was captured. In February 1804, Lt. Stephen Decatur, Jr., led a small group into the harbor aboard a disguised USS Intrepid, and they managed to destroy the Philadelphia to prevent its use by their enemies. Later that year in the Americans tried to send the Intrepid, under Commandant Richard Somers, into the harbor again, this time as a fire ship to burn the enemy fleet. According to this print the ship were boarded by an overwhelming number of enemies before their plan could be carried out. Rather than be captured, enslaved, and lose the ship, Somers ordered that the magazine be explored, which killed both the boarders and the entire American crew. It is not clear that events took place in this way, for the ship may have been hit by enemy fire or perhaps blown up accidentally, but this version made for a stirring story, which promoted patriotism and increased the reputation of the U.S. Navy. Despite this set back, the continued American blockade and an overland expedition against Tripoli, led to a peace treaty on June 4, 1805. $1,350
Thomas Birch. "This Representation of the U.S. Frigate Constitution, Isaac Hull, Esqr. Commander, Capturing His Britannic Majesty's Frigate Guerriere..." Philadelphia: James Webster, August, 1813. Engraved by C. Tiebout. 17 3/4 x 26 3/8. Second State. Uncolored. Several tears into image and margins, all expertly repaired. Otherwise, good condition and appearance. Olds: 120.
A superb print celebrating the first American naval victory of the War of 1812. This battle was fought on August 19, 1812. The captain of the American ship, Isaac Hull, was considered to be the most respected and most competent American naval captain at the time. The Constitution sighted the Guerriere in the open sea east of Boston. The engagement lasted only forty minutes and ended with the surrender of the English vessel. The Guerriere was so badly damaged that Hull had her blown up and sunk, and the surviving English sailors were taken to Boston. This battle was important because it was the first American naval victory of the war. Up until then the war had not gone well for the United States, and when the news of this victory reached the American people; it was greeted with much celebration. $3,200
Go to page with other naval prints from the War of 1812
Thomas Birch. "United States and Macedonian." Philadelphia: Benjamin Tanner, 1814. 17 x 24 1/2. Engraving by B. Tanner. Early hand color. Very good condition. Framed. Olds:160.
An excellent print celebrating one of the most famous American naval achievements of the War of 1812. The United States, under Capt. Stephen Decatur, seeking British shipping to harass, found and engaged the Macedonian near the Canary Islands. After a fierce fight, the Macedonian was forced to surrender, and in a bold move, Decatur brought the ship back to New York, the first British man-of-war as prize into an American port. It was this episode, in particular, that raised the national pride and confidence in the Navy and eventually lead Congress to allocate further shipbuilding for the war and future events. This is one of the best prints of this episode, by famous marine painter Thomas Birch. It was one of three commemorative naval prints by well known engraver Benjamin Tanner. It shows the United States throwing a full broadside at the demasted Macedonian. On the sides of the title are extracts from Decatur's official letter of the engagement. The print by Birch is evocative of this national pride in the event-dramatic and powerful-and is one of Birch's best known paintings. $3,600
“View of the action between the U.S. Frigate Constitution and the British Ships Levant & Cyane.” From The Analectic Magazine. 1816. 3 7/8 x 7 3/8. Aquatint by William Strickland. Very good condition.
In 1812, Philadelphia bookseller and publisher Moses Thomas purchased a monthly magazine entitled Select Reviews, engaged Washington Irving as editor, and renamed the publication The Analectic Magazine. Irving, his brother-in-law J. K. Paulding, Gulian C. Verplanck and, later, Thomas Isaac Wharton wrote much of the material, which concentrated on literary reviews, articles on travel and science, biographies of naval heroes, and reprints of selections from British periodicals. Illustration “was one of the magazine’s chief distinctions. Not only were there the usual engravings on copper, but some of the earliest magazine experiments in lithography and wood engraving appeared here. The plates were chiefly portraits, though some other subjects were used.” (Mott, A History of American Magazines) In this dramatic view, the U.S.S. Constitution is engaged in battle with H.M.S. Levant and H.M.S. Cyane. $250
John James Barralett. "Capture of H.B.M. Frigate Macedonian 38 Guns Capt. Carden By the Frigate United States 44 Guns Commodore Decatur. After a close action of Seventeen Minutes." Philadelphia: W.H. Morgan, ca. 1817. Aquatint engraving by Samuel Seymour. 11 1/4 x 17. Original hand color. Very good condition. Framed. Olds 164.
A very detailed print of a naval engagement during the War of 1812. This battle occurred on October 25, 1812. The American frigate United States, under Commodore Decatur encountered the British frigate Macedonian west of the Canary Islands. A fierce hour and a half battle followed, during the superior American gunnery led to the loss of masts and yards, as well as considerable damage to the hull of the British ship. The British captain finally lowered his colors in surrender. Decatur then brought the prize into Newport, R.I. in December, the first captured frigate to be brought into a United States port. This print is after a drawing by John James Barralett (ca. 1747-1815), an Irish artist who came to Philadelphia about 1795. He had established a reputation as a landscape and historical artist in Dublin and London. When Barralett first arrived in Philadelphia he was hired as an engraver by Alexander Lawson and soon took up painting landscapes in and around Philadelphia. Among American engravers, Barralett is credited with inventing a ruling machine for work on bank notes. Philadelphia publisher W.H. Morgan commissioned a pair of drawings of American naval victories from Barralett, which he had made into excellent aquatints by Samuel Seymour shorting after the war. $3,200
Drawn by an Officer of H.M.R.N. "To the Captain, Officers and Brave Crew of His Majesty's Frigate-Endymion-as an Humble Record of British Skill and Valour-This Representation of the Gallant Action on the 15th day of January with the United States Ship-President-commanded by Commodore Decatur." Pentonville: W. Deeley, 1838. Second state. Aquatint by Hill. Full original hand color. Paper watermarked "1839." Plate worn. Two small areas of loss of image filled and in-painted. Small tear in sky. Narrow top margin replaced. Professionally conserved and backed with rice paper. Good condition. Grolier 176; Olds 324.
A second state impression of a very fine contemporary print of the engagement between the United States frigate President and the British frigate Endymion. The President under command of Stephen Decator after departing New York was damaged by grounding on a sand bar in the darkness. The next day Decatur discovered a British squadron of four ships in pursuit of him. When the British frigate Endymion caught up with the President, a two hour fight ensued, and the Endymion broke off the engagement badly damaged. Decatur could not pursuer to finish her off as two other British ships were in sight. After a brief fight with the other British ships, Decatur decided to surrender due to superior firepower and his being unable to escape. Unfortunately, this battle took place a month after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in December of 1814.
Originally, this print was first published not long after the battle in 1815. This print is a second state which was re-struck from the original plate in 1838. The second state is indicated by a different publisher and the addition of ship information in the bottom margin. The paper is also watermarked with a date of 1839. Overall, the etching detail in the print is faded. This is due to the printing plate being very worn and not re-etched for the second state. Most noticeable is the loss of detail in the white water surrounding the two ships. A third state of this print can be identified by lack of publication information. Though a later strike, still an original antique prints that is a classic example of English battle art of the Napoleonic Era. $450
Ferdinand Perrot. "Episode de la Guerre de l'Indépendance." Paris: E. Savary, ca. 1844. With blind-stamp. 12 x 17 3/4. Two tone lithograph by F. Perrot. Excellent condition. Cf. Olds: 85.
A dramatic naval print from a series of images by French lithographer Ferdinand Perrot showing episodes from the engagement between the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis. Here Perrot shows two ship's boats coming to grips, while the sailors filling each attack each other with guns, swords, pikes, and oars. In the background the larger ships can be seen with their cannons firing. Dramatic and lovely. $1,400
A. Poinsett, U.S.N. "The U.S. Sloop of War St. Louis in the Harbour of Smyrna, July 2nd. 1853." Genoa, 1854. Lithograph. 19 1/8 x 30 1/2. Considerable old wear, expertly restored. Surface cleaned and cracks repaired; lined with rice paper. Strong image with good definition. Surface loss affecting mostly text. With a photographic copy of a key. Not listed in Olds or the Catalogue of the Beverly Robinson Collection.
A very rare, separately issued print commemorating an international instance in 1853, involving the American Navy. The print would have been issued for the members of the ship's crew and their friends, and so few would have been printed. The key tells the story of Commander Ingraham who had the St. Louis face down three Austrian ships of war in order to obtain the release of Martin Koszta, an American citizen. Koszta was a former Hungarian who had participated in the revolution of 1848 against the Austrian rule of his then country. At a time when Great Britain and Russia were scheming on how to split up the Ottoman Empire, and Austria-Hungary was suffering through the last vestiges of the Holy Roman Empire, holding Koszta was not in Austria's interest and he was released to the Americans on the condition that he return to the United States. The growing American power and presence throughout the world made this a minor but fascinating incident in the year before Perry's opening of Japan. The printed key gives more details about the incident and the people involved. JT ON APPROVAL
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