Terrific 18th century ship illustration...

Item # 722524 GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE, London, July, 1748

* Great 18th century ship illustration

Certainly a prime feature is the terrific, full page illustration of: "A Ship Of War" with considerable detail, and with most of the facing page having the "Explanation to a Ship of War of the third Rate with Rigging, &c., at Anchor".
The "Explanation" numerically identifies 148 parts noted on the plates as well as 17 other features which are listed alphabetically. A terrific plate for display for any naval history collector, measuring (with the margins), about 8 by 5 inches.
Equally as stunning is a great & large foldout map, although not called for in this issue, titled: "The Geography of the Great Solar Eclipse of July 14, 1748, Exhibiting an Accurate Map of all parts of the Earth in which it will be Visible, with the North Pole, according to the latest Discoveries." The map is taken from the perspective of the North Pole, and including the northeast section of North America south to St. Augustine, all of Europe, northern parts of Africa, all of India & Southeast Asia, Japan, etc. This map folds out to 12 by 17 1/4 inches and is in very nice condition, with various archival mends to folds on the reverse only.
There is a related article in the issue: "Observations on the Solar Eclipse."
Near the back is the "Historical Chronicle" which has the latest news reports of the day including a case of slander in Massachusetts.
Lacking are two other plates called for.
Complete in 48 pages, 5 by 8 inches, full title/contents page featuring an engraving of St. John's Gate, great condition.

AI notes: The July 1748 issue of The Gentleman’s Magazine serves as a quintessential artifact of Enlightenment-era journalism, distinguished primarily by its exquisite copperplate engraving of a "Ship of War of the Third Rate." This illustration is a masterpiece of 18th-century technical drafting, providing a detailed cutaway view of a massive naval vessel—typically an 80-gun powerhouse—accompanied by a meticulous legend identifying 148 distinct components ranging from the intricate rigging to the internal stowage of the hold. Beyond its maritime appeal, the issue captures the scientific fervor of the age with a significant map detailing the Great Solar Eclipse of July 14, 1748, and maintains its reputation as a "compendium of all things" by blending colonial reports from Massachusetts with architectural studies of French bridges. For historians and collectors, this specific volume remains a high-water mark for the publication, as it perfectly encapsulates Britain’s dual obsession with naval supremacy and empirical observation during the mid-Georgian period.

A very nice magazine from the "mother country" before the French & Indian War with a wide range of varied content. This was the first periodical to use the word "magazine" in its title, having begun in 1731 and lasting until 1907.