"[Lot of 25 - Views and Approaches from Anson's Voyages]", Anson, George

This fascinating lot includes 25 engravings depicting the amazing views that George Anson encountered on his voyage. Other than a print of Chinese ships, most focus on views from the South American coastline, with a couple depicting views from Mexico, Central America, and the Mariana Islands. Engravers credited include Wood, Muller, and Mason. The measurements of the engravings range from 12.8 x 7.0" to 19.9 x 7.7".

In 1740 Anson set sail in command of a squadron sent to attack Spanish possessions and interests in South America. The expedition was ill-equipped and failed to carry out its original ambitious mission. By June 1741 when Anson reached Juan Fernandes, his force had been reduced to only three of the original six ships, while the strength of his crews had fallen from 961 to 335. After launching several attacks on the west coast of South America and recuperating on the island he collected the remaining survivors on his flagship, the Centurion, and set sail in search of one of the richly laden galleons that conducted the trade between Mexico and the Philippines. The indomitable perseverance he had shown during one of the most arduous voyages in the history of sea adventure gained the reward of the capture of an immensely rich prize, the Nuestra Senora de Covadonga, which he encountered off Cape Espiritu Santo on June 20, 1743. From here he sailed back to Canton before traveling through Southeast Asia and around the southern tip of Africa. He made his way back to England, arriving in Spithead in June 1744.

1. Chinese Vessels.
2. A View of the North Entrance of the Harbour of St. Catherines.
3. A View of the N.E. End of the Island of St. Catherines on the Coast of Brasil.
4. Cape Blanco Bearing S.W. Distant 5 Leagues [on sheet with] Cape Blanco on the Coast of Patagonia.
5. A View of the Land of Patagonia, a Little to the Northward of Port St. Julian.
6. A View of the Bay of St. Julian When Mount Wood Bears W.S.W....
7. A Prospect of St. Julian's River....
8. A Prospect of St. Iulian, as It Appears at Low Water....
9. Cape Virgin Mary at the North Entrance of Magellans Streights.
10. A View of Part of the N.E. Side of Terra del Fuego....
11. A View of the Streights Le Maire Between Terra del Fuego and Staten Land.
12. The West Prospect of Staten Island.
13. The East Prospect of the Island of Juan Fernandes in the South Sea.
14. A View of Cape Espiritu Santo, on Samal, One of the Phillipine Islands....
15. A View of Cumberland Bay at the Island of Iuan Fernandes.
16. A View of the North East Side of Masa-Fuero....
17. A View of the West Side of Masa-Fuero....
18. A View of the Hill of Petaplan and the Rocks Called the White Friars... [on sheet with] A View of the Islands of Quibo and Quicara.
19. A View of the Entrance of Chequetan or Seguataneo....
20. A View of the Entrance of the Port of Acapulco.
21. A View of the Anchoring Place at Tenian Where the Centurion Water'd.
22. A View of the S.W. Side of Tenian.
23. A View of the Watering Place at Tenian.
24. A View of the N.W. Side of Saypan One of the Ladrones or Marian Islands.
25. The Islands of Lema.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) G.ANS-1a.

Condition: B

All are in the B+/B range, with most in B condition. There is light toning on the majority of the sheets. Several have damp stains and archivally repaired tears or fold separations, and there is some light scattered foxing and occasional staining.