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Original Hand-Drawn View of Nassau, Bahamas, Owned by the Governor-General of British North America.
Fantastic original antique pencil and watercolor view of New Providence, now Nassau, Bahamas, in 1829, drawn for or by George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie, Governor-General of British North America from 1820 to 1828.
From left to right the view labels Fort Fincastle, Government House ("Gov House"), "View from Sound", "4[?] Guns", an old barrack ("Old [?]"), and Fort Charlotte. The spit of land at the far left seems to be part of Hog Island. Nassau Harbor is crowded with sailing vessels. The shore is packed with buildings, many of which are rendered in meaningful detail, with palms tucked between them.
George Ramsay, 9th Early of Dalhousie, (1770-1838) served as Governor-General of British North America from 1820 to 1828. In 1829, he left to become Commander-In-Chief of the Army in India, and it was possibly on his way to that command, or before he left for it, that this drawing was made.
Despite its early and enduring importance to the British, the historical record is surprisingly lacking in detailed treatments of the city before the mid-to-late 19th century, when Admiralty charts were produced in earnest. The National Archives at Kew has a handsome 1788 manuscript survey of the city, and a 1730s manuscript plan of it traded some years ago, but views such as this are extremely difficult to track down. We are unaware of any similar views having come through the market.
A charming and well-composed view of this important but seldom-depicted city.
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