"Veduta di S. Eustachio", Masi, Gio. Tommaso

This is an uncommon view of St. Eustatius (Statia) in the Dutch West Indies, which had the distinction of being the first foreign nation to officially recognize the newly formed United States during the American Revolution. For a while, Statia was the only link between Europe and the fledgling American nation and was the major supplier of arms and ammunition to the rebellious British Colonies. As such, it was the subject of conflict among the most powerful seafaring nations of the time. This scene delicately depicts the capital Oranjestad, with numerous ships in the harbor. Drawn by N. Matraini and engraved by J. Ottaviani. The view was originally published in 1763 in Il Gazzettiere Americano; this example is from Giovanni Tommaso Masi's Atlante dell' America, which reprinted maps from the gazetteer in order to cash in on interest on the region due to the American Revolution.

References: Phillips (Atlases) #1167-22.

Condition: A

Wide original margins on a bright sheet with a couple minor spots and two small professionally repaired holes at top right - one along neatline and one in sky.