French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802)
Maps and prints of naval engagements collected by George III during the decade of war
Aboukir and Nile river, 1798
Battle of the Nile / This PLATE representing the ENGLISH SQUADRON leading into the BAY of SHOALS is with permission dedicated to LORD NELSON, the OFFICERS SEAMEN and MARINES who so bravely supported the honor of the...
published 4 Jun 1800Line and stipple engraving; printed on paper. Etched index plate with letterpress text printed on the same sheet, pasted to left edge of view. View and index plate laid down on paper, the paper backing brought round the edges of the recto of the view. | 47.5 x 70.0 cm (image of view) | RCIN 735070.a
A view of the French and British fleets at the beginning of the Battle of the Nile, 1-2 August 1798. French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802).
The upper case letters in the title are engraved in faint outline; the remainder of the text is also faintly engraved, suggesting that this may be a proof copy. This is one of three views taken from Thomas Whitcombe's paintings of the battle; the companion prints are at RCINs 735070.b and c.
John Brydon (active 1783-1806) (publisher) [bottom centre, below edge of view:] London Published June 4. 1800, by J. Brydon, Charing Cross.
After Captain James Weir (active 1798) (artist) [bottom left, below edge of view:] From Drawings taken on the Spot by Capt.n Ja.s Weir of Marines H.M.S. Audacious
After Thomas Whitcombe (?1763-1824) (artist) [bottom centre, below title:] Three Paintings were executed from original Drawings by Thomas Whitcombe under the inspection of Capt.n I.B. Savage H.M.S. Orion.
Thomas Hellyer (active 1797-1807) (engraver) [bottom right, below edge of view:] Engraved by Tho.s Hellyer.
Smeeton, George: St. Martin's Lane (printer) [index plate, bottom centre:] Smeeton, Printer, St. Martins Lane.
Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) (dedicatee)
Watermark: None visible on print. Index plate or key: horn in crowned shield, the monogram E&P below; countermark: EDMONDS & PINE 1797.
Condition: no fold lines
47.5 x 70.0 cm (image of view)
50.5 x 75.8 cm (platemark of view)
43.2 x 70.0 cm (neatline of view)
51.8 x 76.7 cm (sheet of paper)
50.0 x 37.5 cm (image of index plate)
[cropped] x 39.5 cm (platemark of index plate)
51.2 x 40.5 cm (sheet of index plate)
Printed title:
Battle of the Nile / This PLATE representing the ENGLISH SQUADRON leading into the BAY of SHOALS is with permission dedicated to LORD NELSON, the OFFICERS SEAMEN and MARINES who so bravely supported the honor of the British Flag on the 1,,st of August 1798. / By thier obliged humble Serv.t / JAS WEIR [bottom centre, below view, to each side of the coat of arms of Horatio Nelson]
Printed title:
KEY TO THE BATTLE OF THE NILE / (FIRST PLATE.) / Evening of the First of August, 1798. / (SECOND PLATE.) / State of the ENGLISH and FRENCH SQUADRONS in the Night. / (THIRD PLATE.) / Situation of the ENGLISH and FRENCH SQUADRONS on the 2d of August. [index plate]
Annotations
George III heading [black pencil:] Military Naval Engagement of the Nile 1 Aug 1798 Port folio No 5.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil, obscured by paper backing: the George III heading; bottom left, black pencil:] 134.c.(i); [top right, black pencil:] 40; [centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 31.
Annotations:
(Recto) [bottom left, black pencil: the old heading] (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil: the old heading; bottom left, black pencil, obscured by paper backing: the George III heading; bottom left, black pencil, in a modern hand:] Cust 134 c; [bottom left, black pencil amendment to K. Mil number in a modern hand:] -a-(i) [and:] 'Jan 87 [i.e. 1987]; [bottom right, black pencil:] 39; [bottom right, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 36; [centre, black pencil, obscured by paper backing:] 36.
George III catalogue entry:
Naval Engagement Three Views of the Battle of the Nile on the 1.st and 2.d of Aug.t 1798; painted by T. Whitcombe under the inspection of Captain Savage from drawings taken on the spot by Captain Weir, engraved by Hellyer, 1800: with a Key to each Plate.
Subject(s)
Abu Qir, Alexandria, Egypt (31°19'10"N 30°03'38"E)
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, London 1911, no.134.c
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
