2nd May, 2017 12:00
Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art ('Hibernia')
175
[M] AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING 18TH CENTURY...
AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING 18TH CENTURY TOBACCO-RELATED CANE FROM HAVANA, CUBA
the plain tapering malacca shaft with brass ferule and silver knop handle engraved to top with a tobacco plant and inscribed around the side ROBt. STEELL HAVANNA [sic] 1763 -- 37in. (94cm.) high
The Battle of Havana - a protracted large-scale combined naval and military operation which took place between March and August 1762 and resulted in its capture - a great blow to Spanish influence in the Caribbean as it was their principal naval base. It was returned to the Spanish in 1763 once Florida and Manila were ceded to the British at the Treaty of Paris that year. The loss of Havana (and Manila a little earlier) along with vast quantities of munitions and 1.8 million gold specie confirmed the British as the dominant naval power, and also the fragility of the Spanish Empire. The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815 lists a Robert Steel made a Lieutenant in 1760 with no subsequent career data. It's possible that this is the same character who, arriving at Havana with this expedition, then remained to plant tobacco.
the plain tapering malacca shaft with brass ferule and silver knop handle engraved to top with a tobacco plant and inscribed around the side ROBt. STEELL HAVANNA [sic] 1763 -- 37in. (94cm.) high
The Battle of Havana - a protracted large-scale combined naval and military operation which took place between March and August 1762 and resulted in its capture - a great blow to Spanish influence in the Caribbean as it was their principal naval base. It was returned to the Spanish in 1763 once Florida and Manila were ceded to the British at the Treaty of Paris that year. The loss of Havana (and Manila a little earlier) along with vast quantities of munitions and 1.8 million gold specie confirmed the British as the dominant naval power, and also the fragility of the Spanish Empire. The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815 lists a Robert Steel made a Lieutenant in 1760 with no subsequent career data. It's possible that this is the same character who, arriving at Havana with this expedition, then remained to plant tobacco.
Sold for £744
Estimated at £400 - £600
(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)
AN HISTORICALLY INTERESTING 18TH CENTURY TOBACCO-RELATED CANE FROM HAVANA, CUBA
the plain tapering malacca shaft with brass ferule and silver knop handle engraved to top with a tobacco plant and inscribed around the side ROBt. STEELL HAVANNA [sic] 1763 -- 37in. (94cm.) high
The Battle of Havana - a protracted large-scale combined naval and military operation which took place between March and August 1762 and resulted in its capture - a great blow to Spanish influence in the Caribbean as it was their principal naval base. It was returned to the Spanish in 1763 once Florida and Manila were ceded to the British at the Treaty of Paris that year. The loss of Havana (and Manila a little earlier) along with vast quantities of munitions and 1.8 million gold specie confirmed the British as the dominant naval power, and also the fragility of the Spanish Empire. The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815 lists a Robert Steel made a Lieutenant in 1760 with no subsequent career data. It's possible that this is the same character who, arriving at Havana with this expedition, then remained to plant tobacco.
the plain tapering malacca shaft with brass ferule and silver knop handle engraved to top with a tobacco plant and inscribed around the side ROBt. STEELL HAVANNA [sic] 1763 -- 37in. (94cm.) high
The Battle of Havana - a protracted large-scale combined naval and military operation which took place between March and August 1762 and resulted in its capture - a great blow to Spanish influence in the Caribbean as it was their principal naval base. It was returned to the Spanish in 1763 once Florida and Manila were ceded to the British at the Treaty of Paris that year. The loss of Havana (and Manila a little earlier) along with vast quantities of munitions and 1.8 million gold specie confirmed the British as the dominant naval power, and also the fragility of the Spanish Empire. The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815 lists a Robert Steel made a Lieutenant in 1760 with no subsequent career data. It's possible that this is the same character who, arriving at Havana with this expedition, then remained to plant tobacco.
Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art ('Hibernia'), 2nd May, 2017
