1739
Maker: John Pine
Rare and striking map of the British Isles, from John Pine's The Tapestry Hangings of the House of Lord's representing the several Engagements between the English and Spanish Fleets..., published in 1739. The maps in Pine's work illustrate a series of charts first published by Robert Adams in 1588, which show the engagements on a nearly day by day basis, of the English and Spanish Fleets and the subsequent destruction of the Armada. Pine's work is regarded as one of the finest sets of 18th Century books of English engravings. This map features a dramatic allegorical border, the coats of arms for different countries, and many tiny ships in the ocean showing places of action, storms, and "the Places where several of the Spanish Ships were destroyed in their return to Spain." The Armada Tapestries were a series of ten tapestries that commemorated the defeat of the Spanish Armada. They were commissioned in 1591 by the Lord High Admiral, Howard of Effingham, who had commanded the Royal Navy against the Armada. In 1651 they were hung in the old House of Lords chambers, which at the time was used for the meetings of the committee of Parliament. They remained there until destroyed in the Burning of Parliament of 1834. In 1739 John Pine made engravings of the tapestries based on the drawings of Clement Lemprière, who in turn used the original maps by Adams. Very good antique condition with mild toning and a water stain in the margin at lower right. Beautiful color. Measures approx. 14.5 x 23.5 inches to the neatline.
Item Number: CSMT135