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Directory: Hidden: Viewable: Pre 1837 VR: Item # 1436060

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Abhaya Asian Antiques
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G/F, North Flat, Lot 965 Peak Road West
Cheung Chau, Hong Kong
Tel/Fax 852-29847509

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Aquatint after a painting by Joseph Walter engraved by R. G. and A. W Reeve London. Published May 21st 1840 The wooden paddle steamer 'Great Western' was built by William Patterson and Company, Bristol, for the Great Western Steam Ship Company of that port. On completion she was the first true ocean-going steamship and the largest steamer in the world. Designed for the transatlantic trade by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, she completed her first Atlantic crossing in April 1838 just hours after the 'Sirius', carrying just seven passengers and a small amount of cargo. 'Great Western', and not 'Sirius', would thence provide the first regular passenger and cargo service on this route. Sailing initially from Bristol, then from Liverpool, she was for several years the most popular and successful steamer on the Atlantic. In 1847 she was sold to the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company for service on its Southampton-West Indies mail run. In 1856 she was chartered by the Admiralty for troop transport. She twice carried men, horses and equipment to the Black Sea. She was sold to shipbreakers in 1857 and scrapped at Vauxhall, on the Thames. Aquatint after a painting by Joseph Walter engraved by R.G & A.W REEVE LONDON. The title reads, in part, " In Commemoration of the Establishment of Steam Navigation Between Great Britain and America. This Engraving of the Magnificent Steam Ship The Great Western. Lieut. James Hosken R. N. Commander taking her departure from Bristol for New York has been prepared." The Directors of the company are listed to the left of the image and the Dimensions of the vessel are listed to the right. This piece credible provenance, sold by the Parker Gallery London- established 1750. Framed Dimensions~ L: 99cm\39in and H: 68cm/27.8in. Good condition, some of the text is faded, but no tears or mold. The frame and matting are of high quality but minor losses to the corners of the outer fillet.