- 340
War of 1812-1814, Anglo-American--Schetky, John Christian.
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
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Description
- A series of four views, to illustrate the naval action fought on the first day of June, 1813, between the English frigate Shannon, and the American frigate Chesapeake. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1830
- paper
First edition, large oblong folio (475 x 615mm.), descriptive leaf of text, 4 coloured lithographed plates by L. Haghe after Schetky, text and plates mounted on larger sheets, original blue wrappers, upper wrapper with letterpress title within a decorative woodcut border, preserved in a modern blue half morocco clam-shell case, [unrecorded in the standard bibliographies; no copy recorded on COPAC], wrappers with two short tears and slightly discoloured, expertly rebacked
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
A very rare set of views depicting one of the best-known frigate actions in history. The U.S.S. Chesapeake was one of six original frigates authorized in 1794 to form the United States Navy. She was under the command of James Lawrence when he made the fatal decision to leave Boston on 1 June 1813 to fight the British frigate Shannon, which was offshore challenging the Chesapeake to engage in battle. After a fierce and annihilating battle that lasted all of eleven minutes, according to the documented account by British captain R.N. King, the Chesapeake surrendered. Of her crew, eighty-four men, including Captain Lawrence, were killed or mortally wounded and 115 others severely wounded. The Shannon lost thirty men and counted fifty-six wounded. The Chesapeake was taken to Halifax after her capture and thence to Britain.
We can trace only 2 institutional copies: Yale University's Sterling Memorial Library and the New York Historical Society. Only one other copy has been sold at auction in over 80 years, the Laird U. Park, Jr. copy, his sale, Sotheby's New York, 29 November 2000, lot 367 (sold for $14,000 hammer).