Search "" as a keyword...
Filter suggestionsContinue typing to see suggestions...
American War of Independence (1775-83)

George III’s maps and views showing the development of the war at home and abroad, from North America to India

ROBERT POLLARD (C. 1755/6-1839)

Gibraltar, 1780

A View of GIBRALTAR, with Sir George Brydges Rodney coming to its Relief, & bringing with him Five Men of War Part of Don Juan de Langara’s Fleet, Captured off S.t Vincent in his way to that Garrison, on the 16.th of January 1780

c.1780

Engraving and etching; printed on paper; laid down on paper, the paper brought round the edges of the recto | 46.8 x 58.6 cm (image) | RCIN 734056

A view of the first naval relief of Gibraltar on 17 January 1780 by Admiral George Bridges Rodney (bap.1718-92) with the British fleet and five Spanish ships captured after the Battle of Cape St Vincent on 16 January 1780. American War of Independence (1775-83): Great Siege of Gibraltar (21 June 1779-7 February 1783). Oriented with north-east to top.

The siege of Gibraltar was one of the longest continuous sieges in history, and the longest ever endured by British armed forces. Spain and France failed in their objective of taking Gibraltar from the British.

Dedication: [bottom, between title and imprint:] To His Royal Highness Prince William Henry, KNIGHT of the MOST NOBLE ORDER of the GARTER, This Plate, Representing a Scene the Result of an Action so advantageous / and honorable to his Country, and in which Signal Service his Royal Highness Sustained so glorious a Share, is, by Permission, most humbly and respectfully Dedicated, by / His Royal Highness's most Dutiful, and Obedient Servants, ROBERT WILKINSON and ROBERT POLLARD.

Condition: one fold line; paper backing brought round edges of recto.
  • Robert Pollard (c. 1755/6-1839) (engraver and publisher) [bottom centre, below text:] Painted by D. Serres Esq.r R.A. Marine Painter to his Majesty, and Engraved by R. Pollard. LONDON, Published the 1.st of June 1782. by R. Wilkinson N.o 58, Cornhill, and R. Pollard Braynes Row Spa Fields.

    After Dominic Serres the Elder (1722-93) (artist)

    Robert Wilkinson (active 1779-1816) (publisher)

  • Watermark: Dovecote; countermark indistinct: two names in a cartouche

    Condition: one fold line; paper backing brought round edges of recto

  • 43.0 x 58.6 cm (neatline)

    46.8 x 58.6 cm (image)

    48.5 x 61.6 cm (platemark)

    48.9 x 62.1 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    A View of GIBRALTAR, with Sir George Brydges Rodney coming to its Relief, & bringing with him Five Men of War Part of Don Juan de Langara’s Fleet, Captured off S.t Vincent in his way to that Garrison, on the 16.th of January 1780. [bottom, below view, to each side of the coat of arms of Prince William Henry]

    Dedication:

    [bottom, between title and imprint:] To His Royal Highness Prince William Henry, KNIGHT of the MOST NOBLE ORDER of the GARTER, This Plate, Representing a Scene the Result of an Action so advantageous / and honorable to his Country, and in which Signal Service his Royal Highness Sustained so glorious a Share, is, by Permission, most humbly and respectfully Dedicated, by / His Royal Highness's most Dutiful, and Obedient Servants, ROBERT WILKINSON and ROBERT POLLARD.

    Annotations:

    George III heading [black pencil:] Military Gibraltar 16 [the ‘6’ has been changed from a ‘7’] Jan 1780 Port folio No 3.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil:] 81.e; [bottom left, black pencil, in a modern hand:] 16 Jan 1780; [bottom right, black pencil:] 1780-5; [top right, black pencil:] 5; [left of centre, obscured by paper backing, black pencil:] 4.

    K. Mil. dummy sheet:

    Title [ink:] A View of Gibraltar, with Sir G. B. Rodney coming to its relief, and bringing with him five / Men of War, part of Don Juan de Langara's Fleet, captured off S.t Vincent on the 16.th Jan.y 1780: / by D. Serres, engraved by Pollard 1782 / Port-folio N [black pencil:] 3 ... 2 Table / [in a modern hand, crossed out in black pencil:] U.L. Naval / [George III heading, red ink:] Gibraltar 17 Jan. 1780; [black pencil, erased, partly legible:] Oversize folder XIV. 
    Watermark: J Whatman 1811. 
    Size: 48.1 x 33.2 cm (sheet).

    George III catalogue entry:

    Gibraltar A View of Gibraltar with Sir G. B. Rodney coming to its relief, 17.th Jan.y 1780, and bringing with him five Men of War, part of Don Juan de Langara's Fleet captured off S.t Vincent on the 16.th Jan.y 1780: by D. Serres, engraved by Pollard 1782.

  • Subject(s)

    Gibraltar, British Overseas Territory (36°08'00"N 05°21'00"W)

  • Bibliographic reference(s)

    H. Parker, Naval battles from the collection of prints formed and owned by Commander Sir Charles Leopold Cust. With an introduction by C.N. Robinson, 2 vols., London 1911, no.81e

Page revisions

  • 14 March 2024