The First and Last Journey Of HMS Victory Etching by W.L.Wyllie & Harold Wyllie Framed

Maritime and history aficionados will instantly know the significance and history of the HMS Victory. For those with less knowledge and expertise: the vessel, was launched in 1765 and is best known for her role as the flagship of Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. That roughly equates to being Britain's version of our USS Constitution. Moreover, she “is the world's oldest naval ship still in commission, with 243 years' service as of 2021. “ 

In 1922, she was moved to a dry dock at Portsmouth, England, and preserved as a museum ship – and that’s where these etchings come in:  Robert Dunthorne & Son in 1922 published these etchings to raise funds to help preserve and restore the vessel and  move the ship to a permanent dry dock in Portsmouth. They published two prints, depicting the first and last journeys of the Victory. We are offering both and both professionally framed.

Here’s what one expert said about the print: 

The ship is shown under sail with gun ports open, at least nine other warships of the fleet may also be seen, along with two other vessels on the horizon and a long boat in the foreground. Underneath the etching the piece is named, with a description that reads “This plate is respectfully dedicated by permission to the Right Honourble Earl Beatty, Admiral of the fleet, G.C.B.,O.M.,D.S.O, && C. by his most obedient servants, Robt Dunthrone & Son”.   A pressed plate, hand coloured etching depicting 'The first and last journey of HMS. Victory’ after W.L. Wyllie, engraved by his son Harold Wyllie. 

He also observed: 

Because of the quality of the rendering and the historical content, prints like these can be expected to retain interest over time. 

Both prints were professionally framed and double matted; the back paper – as shown in th paper is intact and they are ready to be hung. The frames are in good condition. Each measures 21 ½ inches wide x 25 inches L. Image area is 17 x 14 inches.  They were not removed from the frames but our strong speculation is that these are hand colored Thomas Ross Ltd. Re-srikes, or at the very least restrikes from London by Robert Dunthorne, color lithographaphy .which sell for  about $170.00. each. We are not eliminating the possibility that they are originals but we have not made a determination.