STEEL ENGRAVING – “MEN-OF-WAR AT SHEERNESS” from the painting by H. T. Dawson, engraved by A. Willmore, printed in 1883.  This engraving is in very good condition.  The engraving measures 6 7/8” x 9 7/8”, and is matted to 12” x 16” for easy framing.

Sheerness has considerable antiquity as a naval station, and it has figured prominently in the history of England on at least two occasions, once when it was captured by the Dutch under De Ruyter, in 1667; and again, when the mutiny at Spithead and the Nore threatened to become so serious.  The dockyard there was one of the finest in Europe, covering a space of nearly sixty acres.   In Mr. Dawson’s picture little of the town of Sheerness is visible; the greater part is concealed by the two large vessels.  To the right of the composition is seen one of the numerous Martello towers erected along the coasts of Kent and Sussex in the early part of the 19^th century, when England was threatened with invasion.  The action of the water is lively and natural; the sky indicates a gusty day; light fleecy clouds, catching the sunshine, traverse a great part, while a heavy rain cloud is discharging its contents over the space towards the mouth of the Thames.  In the two principal vessels lying at anchor on the Medway we have placed in juxtaposition two noble specimens of naval architecture, each respectively typical of the art, which seems to be almost passing away and of that which appears destined to supersede it; in other words, the old “wooden walls” of England and the walls of iron.  From an artistic point of view the merits of the two ships admit of no argument: the former sits gracefully and picturesquely on the water, her sides swelling out and bristling with lines of guns through her open port-holes; the latter no beauty, but without doubt a more dangerous foe to the enemy that encounters her.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Antique prints, engravings, and lithographs are printing processes, which use steel, copper, stone or wood blocks or plates to produce a picture on paper.

Most antique prints and engravings, which are seen on the internet today, are bookplates.  Because they are pages from a book, there are multiple copies in existence.  This does not, however, mean that they are "reproductions" that have been printed recently.  Because they were, at some point, part of books, some have been preserved in excellent condition, while others show signs of age, as yellow spots or darkness on the edge of the page from being handled.

Engravings, and lithographs are high quality pieces of art, as it took a highly trained artist many hours of work to produce one.  Although there may be multiple copies still in existence, the date of the item should be stated, thus giving the buyer an idea of its age.