Francis Drake. Large copper engraved portrait ca. 1800.
London: ca. 1800. Ephemera. Image size 213 x 345mm (8.25 x 13.5") on very wide margined laid paper (&) text page. Drake's upper torso, inside an elaborate decorative border, his name in a banner below, with a naval battle scene. Beautiful engraving with a text overview of his achievements. Very crisp engraving, vg+ condition. "Drake's voyage of 1577-80 had two purposes - to discover trading bases in the legendary "Terra Australis" and the Moluccas and to raid the west coast of South America. Sailing up the coasts of Chile, Peru, and Mexico, Drake sacked towns and plundered shipping. He reached California, which he named New Albion and claimed for England in the name of Queen Elizabeth. Returning to England, via the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Drake was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world." Hill p. 86. Very good condition. Item #6480
Price: $450.00