Nick Maxwell Commodore George Anson’s voyage is remembered as a classic tale of endurance and leadership in the face of fearful disasters, but to the British public of 1744 it was the treasure of the Spanish galleon triumphantly paraded through the streets of London that did something to restore national self-esteem battered by the protracted War of … Read more
Richard Walter’s narrative was to become an eighteenth-century bestseller. With more than 1,800 advance subscribers, in England it went through four further editions before the end of 1748. Extracts were published in serial form in periodicals, the fullest in London’s popular Gentleman’s Magazine. The first French edition appeared in 1749. It appeared in the private … Read more
On the outbreak of hostilities between Britain and the Spanish Empire in the Caribbean in 1739, George Anson was commanded to proceed from England to Manila to harass Spanish shipping along the way. Anson’s squadron originally consisted of six warships: the Centurion (flagship), the Gloucester, the Severn, the Pearl, the Wager and the sloop Tryal, … Read more
On Tuesday 20 April 2010 at Mealy’s Auctioneer’s rooms, Kilkenny, lot 604 was sold for €21,000 (plus fees). This item is described in the catalogue as: ‘THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF’S CAP BADGE Collins (Michael) An original Irish Army bronze Cap Badge with inscription Óglagh na hÉireann/FF reputed to have been removed from General Michael Collins’ vehicle at … Read more
The cap with jagged tear, minus badge and diamond, now located (but not on display) in the National Museum, Dublin, is the cap that Michael Collins wore when he was shot. It was sent there ‘from Mr Cosgrave’s office’ on 27 January 1923 ‘as being that worn by Collins at the time of his death’. … Read more