Proclaiming Our Sailor King - Signed Etching by W.L. Wyllie

William Lionel Wyllie RA (1851-1931)
Proclaiming Our Sailor King, 1910
The scene in Portsmouth Harbour on the accession to the throne of George V

etching, signed in pencil

Framed and glazed in our studio

Overall dimensions including frame: 63.5 x 97.5 cm

The text below is copied from an original printed label that describes the scene in this etching:

"Monday, 9th May, 1910

A sharp chilly north-west wind is whistling through the rigging. The ebb is rushing out towards the sea; the flags all half-mast high bespeak the gloom that has hung over the nation for the past two days.

Just before eight bells brilliant touches of scarlet brighten the dull monotony of the universal grey. The Marines, with white-helmets and glittering bayonets, fall in upon the bridges of the armour-clads and the poop of the old "Victory". Two signalmen stand by the colours. Officers, in full dress, gather together before the massed seamen, and just as the hour is striking, George the V is proclaimed our Sailor King. All over the harbour guns thunder forth a Royal Salute and thousands of throats rend the air with cheer after cheer. Caps are waved and the colours rise briskly to the trucks, ushering in the new reign. God Save the King!"