Catalog Archive
Auction 109, Lot 704

"[Lot of 4 - Juan Fernandes Island]", Anson, George

Subject: Pacific Islands

Period: 1765 (circa)

Publication: Voyage around the World (Dutch ed.)

Color: Black & White

Size:
14 x 7.8 inches
35.6 x 19.8 cm
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Lot includes a map (L' Isle Juan Fernandes dans la Mer du Sud…..) of the island now known as Robinson Crusoe Island, two sheets with 4 coastal views, and a copper engraving showing Anson's camp on the island.

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 the history of sea adventure gained the reward of the capture of an immensely rich prize, the Nuestra Señora de Covadonga, which he encountered off Cape Espiritu Santo on June 20, 1743.

References:

Condition: A

Issued folded.

Estimate: $100 - $150

Sold for: $75

Closed on 12/1/2004

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