Views of Europe · 19th century
€ 490
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
for its age, with fine preservation of printed detail and only light central folds as issued. Minimal toning, no significant defects.
This impressive double-page engraving, published as an Extra Supplement to the Illustrated London News on July 22, 1882, vividly depicts the Bombardment of Alexandria—one of the key naval engagements of the Anglo-Egyptian War. Executed in dramatic detail, the scene captures the Royal Navy’s fleet in action off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt, as British warships unleash their broadsides against the coastal forts defending the harbor.
In the foreground sails H.M.S. Alexandra, flagship of Admiral Sir Beauchamp Seymour, leading the attack alongside other vessels including the Sultan, Superb, Inflexible, Temeraire, Monarch, and Helicon. The towering lighthouse fort of Pharos rises in the distance, enveloped in smoke from cannon fire, while the harbor erupts with splashes from incoming shells. The engraving masterfully conveys the intensity of naval warfare, with intricate linework showing rigging, gunfire, and atmospheric smoke effects.
The event marked the beginning of Britain’s military intervention in Egypt, undertaken to suppress the nationalist revolt led by Colonel Ahmed ‘Urabi and to secure control over the Suez Canal. The battle, fought on July 11–13, 1882, resulted in the destruction of Alexandria’s coastal defenses and set the stage for the British occupation of Egypt that would last for decades.
This historical engraving is both a remarkable artistic record and a valuable piece of 19th-century political and military history, offering collectors a view into the visual journalism that defined Victorian-era illustrated periodicals.
Condition: Excellent for its age, with fine preservation of printed detail and only light central folds as issued. Minimal toning, no significant defects.
Framing tips: Ideal for a large presentation frame with a dark navy or charcoal mat to accentuate the maritime subject. A wide gilt frame complements the period aesthetic.
Technique: Wood engraving on paper
Maker: Published by the *Illustrated London News*, London, July 22, 1882
