Destruction of Danish Fleet Copenhagen 1801 Plate 1
Destruction of the Danish Fleet before Copenhagen Apr 2 1801. Plate I. Painted by T. Whitcombe. Engraved by Bailey. Publish'd Jun 1st 1816 at 48 Strand for J. Jenkin's Naval Achievements. Included with the print is the original folio text pages account of the action as first published with the aquatint.
Original aquatint engraving on medium weight wove paper with wide margins. Good overall condition with exceptional original colour. The plate has the date of publication and the name of the publisher beneath the engraved title. The approx engraved image area of the plate is 7" x 10.25" (175mm x 260mm). Engraved plate mark area is approx 8.5 x 11.75 (215mm x 300mm). The folio sheet size is approx 11.5" x 14" (290mm x 355mm).
Short extract from the folio text pages included: THE annexed engraving represents the time when the British line was inverting, by which the headmost became the sternmost ship when at anchor. In order to explain the causes which led to the Northern confederacy, and the destruction of the Danish fleet, it is necessary to go back to the month of December, 1799, when the Danes thought proper to' resist the right of search exercised by Great Britain and every belligerent state. The circumstances of the case are, that a Danish frigate, with a convoy, was stopped in the Mediterranean by an English ship, the commander of which sent on board the Dane to know his destination, who replied, that he was going to Gibraltar. He was then informed, that as he was going to stop in the bay, no visit should be paid his convoy; to which the Danish captain answered, if such a step were attempted, he should certainly resist it. After receiving this answer. . .
James Jenkins The Naval Achievements of Great Britain. From the Year 1793 to 1817." As a record of naval events spanning a period of over twenty years it has no precedent. At no time prior to 1817 had a publisher attempted such a complete volume of documentary naval prints. It is the quality of accuracy which makes Jenkins so valuable" Roger Quarm curator of pictures at the National Maritime Museum 1998.
A genuine antique print over 200 years old.