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Description

Rare map of the Theater of War in the Mediterranean, focusing on the Invasion of Minorca on August 19, 1781.

The map includes large insets of the Island of Minorca and a second map of the Western Mediterranean.

The large map extends from Mahon (with fortifications) to Fort S. Philippe. Fort St. Philippe includes a note stating that certain fortifications that are shown around the fort were destroyed by the French in 1756, but still appear on other maps (Emplacement de la Ville de St. Philippe ou Nouvelle Araval detruite par les Anglais, depuis la prise du Fort par les Francais en 1756, et faussement marquee comme existante avec son enceine dans d'aures Plans qui viennent de paraitre).

Siege of Minorca

The map shows the attack of Minorca on August 19, 1781 by a combined French and Spanish force, which commenced a Siege which lasted over five months, finally concluding in February 1782.

The combined forces sailed from different ports in June and July 1781, before joining up off the coast of Alicante and sailing for the Balearics on August 17. The invasion commenced on August 19, 1781, with the landing of forces at Mequida Bay and Alcaufar Bay, while the harbors at Ciudadela and Fornells were blockaded. While the plan anticipated an element of surprise, the British were prepared for the attack and the resulting siege lasted 5 months, before the British surrender in February 1782.

Rarity

The map is exceedingly rare. We note only single copy at the Universitat Bern.