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1748 Anson View of Zihuatanejo Harbor, Mexico

Seguataneo-anson-1748
$125.00
A View of the Entrance of Chequetan or Seguataneo bearing N.E. distant five Miles. - Main View
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1748 Anson View of Zihuatanejo Harbor, Mexico

Seguataneo-anson-1748


Title


A View of the Entrance of Chequetan or Seguataneo bearing N.E. distant five Miles.
  1748 (undated)     8 x 20.5 in (20.32 x 52.07 cm)

Description


An extremely attractive 1748 coastal view of the Mexican harbor of Zihuatanejo by George Anson. Today Zihuatanejo is a stunningly beautiful resort area in Guerrero, Mexico, about 250 km north of Acapulco. This area was originally named Cihuatlan in Aztec, which means 'Place of Women,' referring to the matriarchal society that dominated the region in pre-Columbian times. Details the harbor beautifully showing mountains, a fort, and several sailing vessels. Coastal views such as these were created to help early navigators recognize important coastlines from far out to sea. Prepared for inclusion in the 1748 issue of Anson's Voyage round the world…

Cartographer


Baron George Anson (23 April 1697 - 6 June 1762) was a British commodore and a wealthy noble. Following Anson's aristocratic upbringing on the family estate of Shugborough in Sataffordshire, he joined the British Navy. Anson went through a series of rapid promotions and, in 1737, was given command of a fleet of six ships charged with the mission of attacking Spanish possessions in South America. This mission was ill-equipped and unprepared for the trials ahead. Storms and navigational errors took a heavy toll on the expedition. By the time Anson reached the island of Juan Fernandez his fleet had been diminished to only three ships and his crew reduced to roughly 1/3 of its original strength. Nonetheless, Anson's persistence eventually led to the capture of an immensely rich price, the Spanish treasure galleon Nuestra Senora de Covadonga. The galleon, taken off of Cape Espiritu Santo in 1743 was loaded with silver bullion and, more importantly, charts and maps detailing the routes between Mexico and the Far East used by the Spanish for over 200 years. Knowledge of this route enabled the British navy to disrupt Spanish trade in the Pacific and thus weaken its stranglehold on the Americas. Upon his return to England Anson was hailed as a national hero and made immensely wealthy by his share of the Nuestra's treasure. Anson retired from the Navy for a career in politics and was a Member of Parliament from 1744 to 1747. Anson subsequently continued his naval career with distinction as an administrator, becoming First Lord of the Admiralty (1757-1762). Seven British warships have borne the name HMS Anson in his honor. Anson County, North Carolina, and Ansonborough in Charleston, South Carolina, are also named in Anson's honor. More by this mapmaker...

Source


Anson, George. A Voyage Round The World, In the Years MDCCXL, I, II, III, IV, (1748 English Editon).    

Condition


Very good condition. Some wear on original folds. Blank on verso.

References


National Library of Australia, MAP NK 3382/30.