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FLAXMAN,, John (1755--1826)
A letter to the committee for raising the naval pillar, or monument, under the patronage of His Royal Higness the Duke of Clarence. By John Flaxman, sculptor.
London (Place), printed for T. Cadell, jun. and W. Davies; T. Payne; and R. H. Evans (successor to Mr. Edwards); by G. Woodfall,, 1799.
14, [2] p., 3 pl. (incl. frontis.) ; 25.5 cm. (4º).

In 1799 a public subscription was launched for the erection of a column to commemorate the recent British naval victories (Brest, on "the glorious first of June" 1794, Cape St Vincent, 14 February 1797, and Camperdown, 11 October 1797). Flaxman, disapproving of a column, proposed instead a colossal statue of Britannia Triumphant, 230 feet tall, to be erected on the summit of Greenwich Hill where it would be seen appropriately flanked by the two wings of the naval hospital. His model was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1801 and is now in the Soane Museum. The frontispiece illustrating Flaxman's statue was engraved by William Blake. A reply to the Letter by Alexander Dufour was published in 1800 (q.v.). See Lynda Pratt, 'Naval Contemplation: Poetry, Patriotism and the Navy 1797--99', in Journal for Maritime Research, December 2000. BAL, Early printed books, no. 1076; ESTC t99371.

Copy Notes Bound (2) in a collection of pamphlets, preceding Dufour's reply (q.v.).

Binding C19th half calf, marbled-paper boards, gilt double-rule spine, maroon spine-label lettered 'Pamphlets &c', later numbered '32' in a series of pamphlet volumes.

Reference Number 2272

Additional Names Dufour, Alexander


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