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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

WILLIAM FADEN (1749-1836)

Plan of Gibraltar, 1781 (Gibraltar, British Overseas Territory) 36°08'00"N 05°21'00"W

published 1782

Etching and engraving; printed on paper; hand-coloured | 59.6 x 44.3 cm (image) | RCIN 734071

A plan showing the various stages of the daring sortie made by British and Hanoverian troops on the Spanish lines of Gibraltar on 27 November 1781. The 'medal', depicted above the references, refers to Lieutenant-General George Augustus Elliott (1717-90), governor of Gibraltar, under whose resolute leadership the garrison held out for four years until finally relieved. American War of Independence (1775-83): Great Siege of Gibraltar (21 June 1779-7 February 1783). Oriented with north to top.

Dedication: [top right, below title:] Humbly Inscribed / TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE RIGHT HONORABLE GEORGE AUGUSTUS ELLIOTT, / GENERAL OF HIS MAJESTY'S FORCES, GOVERNOR OF GIBRALTAR &c.&c. / By John Drinkwater L.t in the 72d. Reg.t of Foot, or Royal M. Volunteers.

Additional text: [bottom left, in a cartouche representing a scroll nailed to a wall, with the depiction, above, of two sides of a medal, the obverse: 'GEORG III OPT PR DE HISPANIS' and reverse: 'G A ELLIOTT ET INVICTI MILITES'. Below the medal, a key, A-D, to the batteries:] REFERENCES. [and:] ORDRE DE BATAILLE OF THE DETACHMENT / FOR THE SORTIE.

Condition: one fold line; small piece missing from centre of left edge; offsetting. Verso: induced discolouration; ink smudges.
  • William Faden (1 July 1749-21 March 1836) (publisher) [top right, below text and scale bar:] LONDON, / Engraved and published by W.m FADEN, Charing Cross, March 25.th 1782.

    John Drinkwater Bethune (1762-1844) (cartographer) [top right, at end of dedication:] By John Drinkwater L.t in the 72d. Regiment of Foot, or Royal M. Volunteers.

    George Augustus Elliott, 1st Baron Heathfield (1717-90) (dedicatee)

    Subject(s)

    Army-GB
    Army-Spain
  • Watermark: Fleur-de-lys in crowned shield, a ‘4’ suspending the letters L V G below; countermark: IV

    Condition: one fold line; small piece missing from centre of left edge; offsetting. Verso: induced discolouration; ink smudges

  • 59.2 x 44.5 cm (neatline)

    59.6 x 44.3 cm (image)

    62.2 x 47.7 cm (platemark)

    63.1 x 48.4 cm (sheet)

  • Printed title:

    A PLAN OF THE ATTACK, MADE Nov.ber 27.th 1781. BY A DETACHMENT / COMMANDED by BRIGADIER-GENERAL ROSS, / FROM THE GARRISON OF GIBRALTAR, on the ENEMY’S WORKS erected before that FORTRESS. [top right]

    Dedication:

    [top right, below title:] Humbly Inscribed / TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE RIGHT HONORABLE GEORGE AUGUSTUS ELLIOTT, / GENERAL OF HIS MAJESTY'S FORCES, GOVERNOR OF GIBRALTAR &c.&c. / By John Drinkwater L.t in the 72d. Reg.t of Foot, or Royal M. Volunteers.

    Additional text:

    [bottom left, in a cartouche representing a scroll nailed to a wall, with the depiction, above, of two sides of a medal, the obverse: 'GEORG III OPT PR DE HISPANIS' and reverse: 'G A ELLIOTT ET INVICTI MILITES'. Below the medal, a key, A-D, to the batteries:] REFERENCES. [and:] ORDRE DE BATAILLE OF THE DETACHMENT / FOR THE SORTIE.

    Annotations:

    George III heading: Gibraltar 27 Nov. 1781.

    Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [top left, black pencil, eighteenth-/nineteenth-century hand:] 27 Nov.r 1781; [bottom right, right of centre, black pencil, erased and partly legible:] XVIII/[?]3-n.

    George III catalouge entry:

    Gibraltar A Plan of the Attack made 27.th Nov.r 1781, by a detachment commanded by Brigadier General Ross from the Garrison of Gibraltar on the Enemy’s Works erected before that Fortress: by Lieut. John Drinkwater, published by Faden, 1782.

  • Subject(s)

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

Page revisions

  • 23 May 2024