[REINAGLE, George Philip (1802-1835)]

[Illustrations of the Battle of Navarin]

London: Colnaghi, 1828. Folio. (19 15/16 x 13 1/2 inches). 2pp. descriptive text, headed 'reference to the plates', 2pp. list of subscribers, 1 uncoloured lithographic battle-plan, 12 fine hand-coloured lithographic plates by Charles Hullmandel after Reinagle, occasionally heightened with gum arabic. (Light marginal dust-soiling to a few plates).

20th-century half sheep, upper cover with mounted red morocco label titled in gilt within a gilt border, spine in seven compartments with wide raised bands, the bands tooled in gilt, the second compartment lettered in gilt, the others with overall tooling in blind.

A complete set of this vivid eye-witness record of the sea-battle in the bay at Navarino between the Turkish fleet and the allied British, French and Russian fleet under the overall command of Admiral Codrington.

A dramatic record of the action at Navarin by Reinagle, who was on board H.M.S. Mosquito. No title was issued with this series. Following on from the success of the present work, Reinagle went on to paint a series of pictures connected with the engagement which were exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1829 and 1831. Admiral Sir Edward Codrington (1770-1851) had been charged with the difficult task of keeping the Turks and Greeks apart and thus supporting a fragile ceasefire. He was however given discretionary powers to use force where necessary and the battle of Navarin was precipitated by his decision, taken on 20th October 1827, to moor alongside the Turkish fleet at anchor in a semi-circle in the deep-water harbour of Navarin. A misunderstanding involving the frigate H.M.S. Dartmouth actually began the battle with the Turks opening fire. The firing spread to the other ships, and the action quickly became general. The battle lasted for nearly four hours, and despite the Turks numerical superiority, their fire-power was never a match for that of the allied fleet. Losses on both sides were heavy: the allies with 650 dead, whilst the Turkish casualties amounted to about 4,000 and the loss and capture of their fleet.

Cf. Blackmer 1403 (Italian edition): Droulia 159. Not in Abbey or Atabey.

Item #41184

Price: $12,000.00