A Cannon from Louis XIV Navy

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

James Close was an officer in the Royal Navy. He built a collection on an original theme: the naval guns. Seven pieces from this provenance will be sold by Dreweatts at Donnington Priory, Berkshire, on July 15. Dreweatts is regularly organizing sales in this room located deep into the English countryside. Hopefully the weather will be nice.

The collector was also an engineer. On a photo published in the catalog he is preparing the firing of one of his pieces at a family event.

The top lot of this group is estimated 15 K £. This bronze cannon sank with the HMS Association in 1707 on the reefs of the Scilly Isles. The boat was found in 1967. However, this cannon was not of English origin: it bears a mark identifying its cast at the time when the Admiral of France was the Comte de Vermandois (1669-1683), The title was honorary, as the son of Louis XIV and La Vallière was born in 1667 ...

Another mark indicates its participation in the Battle of Vigo (1702) and it is certainly on this occasion that he came in possession of the English. Longer than 3 meters and weighing 3.5 tons, it is presented on a wooden carriage built for it by the company which had acquired it at Sotheby's in 1969.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The seller and the auction house can be happy with the result obtained by this nice and original collection.

The cannon described in my article had been sold 55 K£ before fees ie 66 K£ including premium.