The ‘Art’ of Admiralty – Trafalgar Day
The ‘Art’ of Admiralty… The 2005 International Fleet Review to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar
INTERNATIONAL FLEET REVIEW 2005. This watercolour, with vignettes/small sketches in the borders of Admiral Lord Nelson and a few of the participants (HMS Endurance, ITS Amerigo Vespucci, HMS Trafalgar, RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, FS Jean Bart, HMS Victory (participating in spirit!), SPS Principe de Asturias, HMS Invincible, RFA Fort Victoria, is the most comprehensive of the charts/pictures yet produced. Admiral Sir Alan West, then First Sea Lord, pulled it all together with a nod to the bicentenary of Trafalgar and although the parade is substantially diminished from previous ones (1953, 1937,1935 all of which are also available) each participating ship is shown and beneath is a complete list of ships with their commanding officers and, where appropriate, embarked flag officers and commodores, together with their decorations. All the Flypast participants are also listed as are nine participating yacht clubs and their representatives. The painting was commissioned by Captain Cosby and is by Mandy Shepherd (David’s daughter): it now hangs in NCHQ. Prints signed by Mandy, very few left, measure 42 x 21.5 cms. £25 per print (in a tube). Add £10 for mounted, plus an additional £10 for flat postage.
Captain Rick Cosby established Maritime Originals (www.maritimeoriginals.com) and Maritime Prints (www.maritimeprints.com) over a quarter of a century ago and his pictures are already well known to many members. A members’ discount may be available.
