This Print being the Exact Representation of that Capital Ship the Great Harry... by CANOT, Pierre Charles (c1730-1777) & HOLBEIN, Hans, the younger (c1497-1543) & ALLEN, Thomas (1756-1772) - 1960

NP: NP, 1960. Later edition. No binding. Near Fine. Coloured print, Paper: 29-3/4 x 22-1/2 inches. Image: 25 x 17 inches. Variation graphics reprint done probably the mid twentieth century (circa 1960) from the original 1756 engraving. Near fine condition. The Great Harry man-of-war, the largest ship in the world in the reign of Henry VIII.

Full title: "This Print being the Exact Representation of that Capital Ship the Great Harry built at His Majesty's Dock Yard at Woolwich in the Reign of King Henry the 8th Anno 1514, and by Negligence burnt, Augt 27th 1553; in the first year of Queen Mary's Reign.~ Is most humbly Dedicated to all Virtuosi in General (but particularly) to Those in the Naval Architecture; By their most Obedient Humble Servant T. Allen."

Drawn from an original of Hans Holbein by T. Allen. Engraved by P.C. Canot.

'Henry Grace a' Dieu' - With Henry and his courtiers from Greenwich as witness, the greatest Tudor ship was launched on June 13, 1514. Nicknamed 'Great Harry', at between 1,000 and 1,500 tons she was graced with five decks and more than 200 hundred bronze and iron cannons. An inventory for her shows that she was meant to carry 400 soldiers, 260 sailors, and 40 gunners. In 1545, Henry was aboard when the French fleet came into sight. Quickly leaving her decks, Henry was put ashore to watch the oncoming confrontation. 'Great Harry' acquitted herself well, although another of Henry's vessels went to the bottom... the 'Mary Rose'. In 1553, while at her berth in Woolwich, the 'Henry Grace a' Dieu' caught fire and sank.