Antique Print of Zihuatanejo and the Harbor of Acapulco by Anson '1749'

Two coastal views on the Pacific coast of Mexico, an original copper engraving from the Dutch edition of George Anson's Reize rondsom de Werreld, published in 1749. The plate is lettered in French and Dutch. The upper view reads "Vue de l'Entree de Chequetan ou Seguataneo, restant au N.E. a la distance de 5 Milles" and shows the approach to Zihuatanejo; the lower view, "Vue de l'Entree du Port d'Acapulco" in French and "Gezigt van den Ingang van de Haven van Acapulco" in Dutch, shows the entrance to Acapulco harbor.

Each is a long, narrow panorama drawn in fine line. The upper view shows a jagged range of mountains behind a low shore with ships at sea; in the lower, a sailing ship and smaller boats lie in the foreground in front of a dark, hilly coast.

Acapulco was the Pacific terminus of the Manila galleons, which was the reason for Anson's voyage across the Pacific. Such profiles served as sailing directions, letting navigators recognize the coast.