The Collection includes many fine engravings, including some first impressions. During the second half of the eighteenth century the tradition arose that an engraver producing an image of an Admiralty subject would present one of the first finished engravings to the First Lord. - These 'first impressions are of extremely fine quality since the engraved lines on the copperplate, from which the engraving was pressed, were sharp. With each subsequent pressing the lines would become gradually less distinct and the value of the finished engraving subsequently lower.
- Many engravings in the collection are finished by the application of watercolours; all the eighteenth and nineteenth century examples, both coloured and monochrome, are extremely sensitive to light and must be displayed in carefully-controlled locations under special UV-resistant light.
The Opening of Sheerness Docks, September 5th 1823. - Engraved by E Way after a William Huggins painting.
Sheerness is a commercial port and main town of the Isle of Sheppey and owes much to its origins as a Royal Naval dockyard town. John Rennie was the 19th Century engineer who surveyed and designed a new Dockyard for Sheerness. - Launch of a 60-gun Ship at Deptford, c1720
- Unknown artist.
- This engraving depicts the Royal Dockyard at Deptford in 1739, during the reign of George II. Deptford was the site of one of four royal dockyards established during the reign of the House of Tudor, the others being Portsmouth, Chatham, and Woolwich.
- The Departure of Henry VIII from Calais, 25 July 1544
- Engraved by James Basire after a painting by S Grimm.
This engraving was made by James Basire (1730-1802) from drawing by S H Grimm, which in turn was taken from an original coeval painting. It was published according to Act of Parliament on 5 July 1781.
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