ROYAL NAVY MIDSHIPMAN IN THE RIGGING Ca 1785 Presented is a watercolor on card portrait of a Royal Navy midshipman standing in the rigging of a sailing warship. He is dressed in the traditional garb of the period in a brass buttoned blue jacket over a white shirt with striped neckerchief. In the background a three masted sailing ship is heeled over in the process of sinking. The picture is framed in wonderful Birdseye maple. Based on similar paintings by Thomas Rowland and Fane's Nelson, we date this work in the last quarter of the 18th Century. SIZE framed: 14 3/4" x 11". Viewing area 10 1/2"x 6 3/4". Weight 1 pound. Back of work Fane's Midshipman Nelson, 1774 A midshipman is a cadet officer, or alternatively the lowest ranking commissioned officer, in the navies of several English-speaking countries. During the days of sailing vessels, from the 17th through the 19th centuries, a midshipman was an apprentice officer. The word derives from the location of ship, amidships, where they were berthed. The midshipman used to serve seven years In the lower rank before being eligible to sit for a lieutenant's exam. As a middie, he was roughly equivalent to a senior petty officer in rank, but was a commissioned officer. During the 19th century training of Naval officers in both the Royal Navy and the U.S. Navy changed toward formal schooling in a Naval college as opposed to apprenticeship aboard ships. In the modern Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and the Royal New Zealand Navy non-graduates join as Midshipman, while those with a university degree join as a sub-lieutenant. OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE: If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within five days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. A prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Unfortunately, shipping charges are not included in this offer and are non-refundable unless due to our error. International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Nova Scotia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean. ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT are Bank wire transfer, cashier's check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. No checks from overseas buyers, no credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item. An elegant and rare Turn of the 19th Century naval portrait Copyright 2012 - 2009 by Land And Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved