1698 Engraving Winstanley First Eddystone Lighthouse by Johnston

A rare, original c1698 hand coloured engraving showing the first lighthouse, designed by to be built on the notorious Eddystone reef, 14 miles off the coast of Plymouth, Devon, in the English Channel.

It is titled: ‘A PROSPECT of EDDY-STONE LIGHT-HOUSE near PLYMOUTH Being 80 Foot High. – Erected & Contrivd By HENRY WINSTANLEY of LITTLEBURY in ye County of Effex Gent. Drawn at ye Rock by Jaaziell Ionfton Painter’. The engraving shows the lighthouse perched on the rock, in a calm sea. There are several sailing ships in the background. The different parts of the lighthouse are described. The print is in good condition and has been tastefully mounted, framed and glazed.

Henry Winstanley (1644-1703) wasClerk of Works to Charles II at Audley End and Newmarket. He produced his first design for the lighthouse in 1696. In 1697, while superintending the construction, he was captured by a French privateer who destroyed the work. Released the same year, he went back to work and completed the lighthouse in 1699. A storm on the night of 26 November 1703 destroyed the lighthouse, killing the light-keepers, the workmen and Winstanley himself.

This is the earlier of 2 engravings, "Drawn at ye Rock by Jaaziell Johnston, Painter", which was engraved and issued in 1698. AThere is another print of the second tower that was issued after its construction in 1699 and was later copied.

Size image: 31.5 x 45.5 cm (12 3/8 x 17 7/8 inches)
Size frame: 51 x 66 x 1.5 cm (20 x 26 x 5/8 inches)
Weight: 2675 g