This fine large hand coloured original antique French Naval print illustrating the pre-fabricated sea-forts being positioned and sunk into place in Cherbourg, Normandy France after Pierre Fréret was published in 1785 - dated - by Jean Baptiste Tilliard.
In the bottom margin are 7 index points naming the sea forts and different ships and boats.

A great copper-plate print showing the immersion of pre-fabricated sea-forts in the new channel of Cherbourg, 1785. At the centre the a structure being immersed has barrels attached to its sides; some of which are drifting away. Rowing boats are seen retrieving and re-attaching them back onto the structure. This larger structure is attached to eight ships by ropes. On the right, other cone-shaped structures which have been successfully immersed. (Ref: M&B; Tooley)

General Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy & stable
Paper color: - White
Age of map color: - Early 
Colors used: - Blue, yellow, red
General color appearance: - Authentic 
Paper size: - 21in x 14in (535mm x 355mm)
Plate size: - 20in x 12 1/2in (510mm x 315mm)
Margins: - Min 1/2in (12mm)

Imperfections:
Margins: - Light soiling, plate mark raised & worn
Plate area: - None
Verso: - Soiling

92281