Broadsides Collection

Battle of Portland 1653
BATTLE OF PORTLAND (Three-days battle), 1st Anglo-Dutch War. Robert Blake & fleet of the Commonwealth of England attack Dutch under Maarten Tromp who suffered heavy losses

A woodcut engraving depicting galleons exchanging broadsides - note the sternpost rudder on the ship on the left
5311217 A woodcut engraving depicting galleons exchanging broadsides - note the sternpost rudder on the ship on the left, 16th century; Universal History Archive/UIG

Galleons exchanging broadsides (print)
3330730 Galleons exchanging broadsides (print); (add.info.: Woodcut of galleons exchanging broadsides. Dated 16th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Turrets v Broadsides at Portland (engraving)
1057955 Turrets v Broadsides at Portland (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Turrets v Broadsides at Portland)

Skeleton of death aiming a dart at a lovers on a sofa
Skeleton of death aiming a dart at a man and woman flirting on a sofa. Death and the Lovers. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Joshua Gleadah after an illustration by Benedictus Antonio Van Assen

The Tetuan and the Vitoria Exchanging Broadsides, Sketched from H.M.s. Research, 1873 Engraving

American War of Independence: Battle of Yorktown, 1781. Two lines of battleships firing broadsides. From a French logbook. Henry Huntingdon Museum. Watercolour

The Tetuan and the Vitoria Exchanging Broadsides, Sketched from H. M. s. Research
The Tetuan and the Vitoria Exchanging Broadsides, Sketched from H.M.s. Research, 1873 Engraving

The light of science cartoon
The light of science dispelling the darkness which covered the world - a satirical cartoon by Henry T De la Beche, 1832, depicting Lady Murchinson, wife of Sir Roderick Impey Murchinson

Battle of Kentish Knock
BATTLE OF THE KENTISH KNOCK 1st Anglo-Dutch War. Admiral Witte de With & the Dutch fleet engage the English, led by Blake but are beaten back with severe losses

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Broadside: A historic form of printed matter, once widely used for announcements, news, and propaganda. From the Battle of Portland in 1653, where English and Dutch ships exchanged deadly broadsides, to the Sketches from H.M.S. Research depicting the Tetuan and Vitoria exchanging broadsides during the late 18th century, these graphic displays of conflict have left an indelible mark on history. The skeleton of death aiming a dart at lovers on a sofa is a chilling reminder of the potential consequences of war, while broadsides offering rewards for the capture of notorious figures like George, Jefferson, Esther, and Amanda reflect the power of the written word in shaping public opinion. The Battle of Yorktown during the American War of Independence saw two lines of battleships firing broadsides, marking a turning point in the conflict. Through engravings and cartoons, such as 'The Light of Science,' broadsides continued to shape public discourse, even as the world around them evolved. And the Battle of Kentish Knock, immortalized in a broadside, stands as a testament to the enduring impact of this once ubiquitous form of communication.