The Seven Years War (1756-63)
Manuscript and printed maps and views, correspondence and journals from the first global war
Havana, 1762
To His Royal Highness Edw.d Augus.s Duke of York and Albany, Vice Admiral of the Blue Squadron, of His Majesty’s Fleet, Earl of Ulster in the Kingdom of Ireland, K•G•& F•R•S• / This Perspective View of the Engaging and taking, the...
1765 or laterEngraving and etching; printed on paper; laid down on paper, the backing paper brought round the edges of the recto | 44.1 x 63.1 cm (image) | RCIN 733043.c
One of a collection of ten (RCINs 733043.a-j) out of twelve prints. See the main entry at RCIN 733043.
These plates, which were painted by Serres after a series of sketches by Philip Orsbridge who was a Lieutenant on board the Orford, depict different stages of the British siege of Havana which took place between 6 June and 13 August 1762. The British combined operations force of 200 transports with 12,000 troops and twenty ships of the line with 17,000 sailors was commanded by Lieutenant-General George Keppel, 3rd Earl of Albemarle (1724-72), Vice-Admiral Sir George Pocock (1706-92), and Major-General George Augustus Eliott (1717-90).
British Museum Registration No. 1849, 1003.12 and 1940, 1214.62.
Condition: no fold lines. Verso: brown discolouration.
Philip Orsbridge (d. 1766) (artist and publisher) [bottom centre, below title and coat of arms:] Drawn on the Spot Design’d and Publish’d as the Act directs.
Dominic Serres the Elder (1722-93) (artist) [bottom left, below view:] Serres Pinxit.
Pierre Charles Canot (1710-77) (engraver) [bottom right, below view:] Canott Sculpsit.
Watermark: On backing paper: two doves sitting on a dovecote; countermark: three names, indistinct, one above the other [FINDE] / [D♥Tamazier] / AUVERGNE
Condition: no fold lines. Verso: brown discolouration
39.9 x 63.1 cm (neatline)
44.1 x 63.1 cm (image)
45.3 x 65.6 cm (platemark)
47.5 x 67.8 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
To His Royal Highness Edw.d Augus.s Duke of York and Albany, Vice Admiral of the Blue Squadron, of His Majesty’s Fleet, Earl of Ulster in the Kingdom of Ireland, K•G•& F•R•S• / This Perspective View of the Engaging and taking, the SPANISH FRIGATES Phenix of 22 Nine Pounders 175 Men, and Thetis of 18 Six Pounders 65 Men, with 2 Brigs, by His MAJESTYS FRIGATE Alarm, / Of 32 Guns, James Alms Esq.r Commander, in Sight of the Grand Fleet on the 3.d of June 1762. Is most Humbly Inscribed, by HIS devoted & obed,,t humb,,ble Servant, / P,, O,, R,, Sbridge. [No plate number. No. 3.] [bottom, below view, to each side of the Duke of York’s coat of arms]
Annotations:
George III heading: none.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil:] 72 & 73; [bottom right, black pencil:] C6; [bottom right, black pencil, in a modern hand:] XIII/43 (iii) 25 Sept 86 CMB.
George III catalogue entry:
Havana Twelve Historical Views of the glorious Expedition of His Majesty’s Ships and Forces against the Havana in 1762, under the command of Sir George Pocock, Lord Albemarle and Rear Admiral Keppel: by Ph. Orsbridge: painted by Serres and engraved by Canot and Mason: with an Explanation.
Subject(s)
Havana, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba (23°07'58"N 82°22'58"W)
Page revisions
14 March 2024
Current version
