The Seven Years War (1756-63)
Manuscript and printed maps and views, correspondence and journals from the first global war
Havana, 1762
To the Hon.ble Augustus John Hervey, CAPTAIN in His Majesty’s NAVY, COL.L of Marines, & one of the GENTLEMEN of His Majesty’s Bed Chamber; / This Perspective View of His Majesty’s Ship Dragon Commanded by Him, Cambridge W,,m...
1765 or laterEngraving and etching; printed on paper; laid down on paper; the paper brought round the edges of the recto | 44.3 x 62.7 cm (image) | RCIN 733043.h
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 Reg.No. 1849, 1003.17 and 1917, 1208.3292. This later BM acquisition has 'Plate 8' engraved bottom right.
Condition: no fold lines. Verso: brown discolouration.
Philip Orsbridge (d. 1766) (artist and publisher)
Dominic Serres the Elder (1722-93) (artist) [bottom left, below view:] Serres Pinxit.
Pierre Charles Canot (1710-77) (engraver) [bottom right, below view:] Canot Sculpsit.
Watermark: On backing paper: a dovecote; countermark: three names, indistinct, one above the other: [FIN DE] / T DUPUY FIN / AUVERGNE
Condition: no fold lines. Verso: brown discolouration
40.5 x 62.7 cm (neatline)
44.3 x 62.7 cm (image)
45.5 x 65.2 cm (platemark)
47.8 x 67.3 cm (sheet)
Printed title:
To the Hon.ble Augustus John Hervey, CAPTAIN in His Majesty’s NAVY, COL.L of Marines, & one of the GENTLEMEN of His Majesty’s Bed Chamber; / This Perspective View of His Majesty’s Ship Dragon Commanded by Him, Cambridge W,,m Goostrey Esq. & Marlborough Tho,,s Burnett Esq. attacking ye Moro July 1, 1762. Also shewing the Distance the Sterling Castle Capt. Campbell (who was appointed to lead the Van of this Squadron) / Was during the Attack, likewise Shewing the Land Attack; Is most humbly Inscribed by HIS devoted humble Servant, / P,, O,, R,, Sbridge. [Lacks plate number: Plate 8.] [bottom, below view, to each side of Hervey's coat of arms]
Annotations:
George III heading: none.
Other annotations: (Recto) none. (Verso) [bottom left, black pencil:] 73; [bottom right, black pencil, obscured by paper:] C11; [bottom right, black pencil:] C11; [bottom right, black pencil, in a modern hand:] XIII/43 (viii) 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
