Highlights from the print collection
An introduction to the print collection of the Royal Collection
Map of the siege of Yorktown, 1781 (Yorktown, Virginia, USA) 37°14'19"N 76°30'34"W
published in Philadelphia, 1782RCIN 734069
This is one of 13 known impressions of the only American map of the battle of Yorktown, Virginia, the last major land battle of the American War of Independence. From 29 September to 19 October 1781, around 9,000 British troops were besieged and ultimately defeated by an alliance of 19,000 American and French troops under the joint command of General George Washington, to whom the map is dedicated. Prominently labelled is the 'Field where the British laid down their Arms'.
watermark:
Fleur-de-lys in crowned shield, the letters G R below; countermark: J WHATMANannotation:
Old heading: [black pencil, underlined in red ink:] York and Gloucester 29 Sept. 1781. Other annotations: none.Bibliographic reference(s)
Verner, C., ‘Maps of the Yorktown Campaign, 1780-81: a preliminary check list of printed and manuscript maps prior to 1800’, Map collectors’ Circle, 1965
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