Plan du fort St. Philipe en l'isle de Minorque. . .

Manuscript plan of Fort Philippe with a lettered key [key: A-Z a-h] to the right. This manuscript plan is very similar to the separately published plan by R.J. Julien of 24 May 1756. See lot 10930 in this sale)

The first detailed French plan was made for Armand de Vignerot du Plessis (13 March 1696 – 8 August 1788) shortly after he landed on the island and besieged the British garrison, forcing them to surrender after a siege of two months at the beginning of the Seven Years' War.
It is unclear if this was the prototype of the publication.

With this manuscript plan came three fascinating handwritten documents relating to the different stages in the Siege of fort St. Philipe in 1756.

"Observations sur le fort St Philipe situé à l’entrée du Port Mahon.".... A description of the fortifications and infrastructure of fort St. Philipe and possibilities for an attack. Signed «Toulon ce 5 Avril 1756» with erased signature.

"Extrait d’une lettre de Monsieur le marquis de La Galissionaire écrite à bord du vaisseaux le Foudroyant le 21 may 1756 devant le Port Mahon." A 3-page extract perhaps by Monsieur le marquis de La Galissionaire written aboard the vessel Le foudroyant on 21 May 1756, giving a detailed daily account of the battle at fort St Philippe from May 17th till May 21. The second part gives an account of the number of wounded and killed soldiers per vessel. The naval battle took place on 20 May 1756. It was the opening sea battle of the Seven Years' War in the European theatre.



Reference: Mapforum.com, Checklist of Charts of Mahon Harbour, 48.