Catalog Archive
Auction 160, Lot 432

Rare Sheet Recounting the Battle of Cartagena

"Plan de la Baye de Cartagene des Indes... [on sheet with] Cartagene Seitue dans l'Amerique Meridionale en la Province de Terre Ferme Appartenant aux Espagnols", Bailleul, Nicolas

Subject: Cartagena, Colombia

Period: 1750 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
11.1 x 15.3 inches
28.2 x 38.9 cm
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This very rare sheet includes a map of Cartagena Bay and a bird's-eye plan of the city of Cartagena. The map of Cartagena Bay is oriented with north to the left and depicts the forts and batteries that were used by the Spanish against Admiral Vernon's fleet in the Battle of Cartagena in 1741. The title cartouche notes that the map is based on the reports of a "British engineer." The text panels flanking the plan of Cartagena describe the events of the battle. At the bottom of the sheet are a lettered key identifying locations in the plan and depictions of four forts that were protecting the city and bay: Fort San Lazaro, Fort Redoubt, Fort Bocachica, and Fort St. Joseph.

We have found several examples in public institutions, but no examples available for sale in the past 30 years.

References: Kapp (MCC-77) #87.

Condition: A

An excellent impression on a clean, bright sheet of paper with a bunch of grapes watermark. A chip at top right has been replaced with old paper, and a tiny tear along the left edge of the sheet has been archivally repaired.

Estimate: $800 - $1,000

Sold for: $1,500

Closed on 11/16/2016

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