CDV: Cross - Channel Swimmer CAPTAIN MATTHEW WEBB
Item History & Price
A carte de visite portrait of Captain Matthew Webb (1848-1883), the first man to swim across the English Channel.
Born in the Industrial area of Dawley in Shropshire, Webb became the first man to swim the English Channel, at a time when the feat was considered impossible. His first attempt having ended in failure due to the strong current, he eventually made the crossing from Dover to Cap Gris Nez on 24 and 25 August 1875 in 21 hours and 45 minutes. Relying mostly on the breas...tstroke, he swam some 40 miles, covering a straight-line distance of about 22 miles. Covered with a protective layer of porpoise grease, he was accompanied by a support boat. Along the way, he sang, sipped beef tea and beer, was stung by a jellyfish, and had to fight his way through a storm.
Captain Webb died eight years later in an attempt to swim the Whirlpool Rapids at Niagara Falls on 24 July 1883.
Although unidentified here, the photograph was taken by Fradelle and Marshall of London.
Condition: please see scans. The print, which is a Woodburytype, is in excellent condition, with rich, satisfying tones. It is mounted on a stiff, firm piece of card that has been trimmed to approximately the same dimensions as a standard carte de visite mount. An inked inscription in the lower margin identifies the sitter.
Dimensions: the dimensions of a standard carte-de-visite are approx. 4.1" by 2.5" (10.5 cm by 6.3 cm).
Be sure to check out all my other auctions on eBay at the moment!
Terms and conditions: I will send you an eBay invoice shortly after the end of the auction. Please make arrangements for payment to reach me within 7 days of receipt of invoice. Preferred method of payment is via PayPal. All goods are sent at your own risk unless you choose to have the item sent to you via registered mail (which includes insurance). Proof of postage can be provided free of charge if asked for in advance. Any bid placed is deemed an acceptance of these terms. Please view my feedback for guarantee of good service. I operate a full refund policy (less postage costs) if any item does not meet with complete satisfaction.
Postage and packing: $3.00 (UK), $4.00 (Europe),
$5.00 (USA and the rest of the world).
Registered mail with added insurance, $10.00 extra.
Combined shipping for multiple purchases.
Packages are dispatched once a week on Wednesday.
Born in the Industrial area of Dawley in Shropshire, Webb became the first man to swim the English Channel, at a time when the feat was considered impossible. His first attempt having ended in failure due to the strong current, he eventually made the crossing from Dover to Cap Gris Nez on 24 and 25 August 1875 in 21 hours and 45 minutes. Relying mostly on the breas...tstroke, he swam some 40 miles, covering a straight-line distance of about 22 miles. Covered with a protective layer of porpoise grease, he was accompanied by a support boat. Along the way, he sang, sipped beef tea and beer, was stung by a jellyfish, and had to fight his way through a storm.
Captain Webb died eight years later in an attempt to swim the Whirlpool Rapids at Niagara Falls on 24 July 1883.
Although unidentified here, the photograph was taken by Fradelle and Marshall of London.
Condition: please see scans. The print, which is a Woodburytype, is in excellent condition, with rich, satisfying tones. It is mounted on a stiff, firm piece of card that has been trimmed to approximately the same dimensions as a standard carte de visite mount. An inked inscription in the lower margin identifies the sitter.
Dimensions: the dimensions of a standard carte-de-visite are approx. 4.1" by 2.5" (10.5 cm by 6.3 cm).
Be sure to check out all my other auctions on eBay at the moment!
Terms and conditions: I will send you an eBay invoice shortly after the end of the auction. Please make arrangements for payment to reach me within 7 days of receipt of invoice. Preferred method of payment is via PayPal. All goods are sent at your own risk unless you choose to have the item sent to you via registered mail (which includes insurance). Proof of postage can be provided free of charge if asked for in advance. Any bid placed is deemed an acceptance of these terms. Please view my feedback for guarantee of good service. I operate a full refund policy (less postage costs) if any item does not meet with complete satisfaction.
Postage and packing: $3.00 (UK), $4.00 (Europe),
$5.00 (USA and the rest of the world).
Registered mail with added insurance, $10.00 extra.
Combined shipping for multiple purchases.
Packages are dispatched once a week on Wednesday.
