Incredible copper engraving depicting the battle of the First Sea War (1652-1654) between the Dutch and the English. Lord M. de Ruyter was a famous admiral of the Dutch navy, who spent much of his life fighting the English. The sea is literally filled with ships all the way to the horizon and the water is littered with life boats, swimming sailors and foundering ships. There are 24 Dutch ships named at bottom, some identify the captains as well.

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Condition: A

A crisp impression on paper with a large fleur-de-lis coat of arms watermark, faint damp stains in the bottom corners not entering the image, and light toning along the edges of the sheet. There is a tiny centerfold separation in the bottom blank margin that has been professionally repaired.