State without engraver’s name. A three-quarter-length portrait of Edward Vernon (1684–1757) in a dark wig and coat, resting his left hand on the hilt of his sword and holding a baton of command in his right hand. He leans on a cannon with a tree to the right and a naval engagement in the distance. Lettered beneath the image: ‘The Honble. Edwd. Vernon Esqr. Vice Admiral of ye Blue & Commander in Chief of his Majesty’s Fleet in ye West Indies.’ Also lettered with the production details: ‘G. Hansson pinx.’ This print was engraved by Gerhard Bockman after G. Hansson. It appears to have loosely copied, in reverse, from another print published by Thomas Bakewell (see PAF3395), which dates from around 1740. In July 1739, Vernon was promoted vice-admiral of the blue and commander-in-chief in the West Indies. In this role, he successfully captured Porto Bello from the Spanish in November 1739 with only six ships. Coupled with Vernon’s vocal opposition to the Walpole ministry, this triumph gained him significant public popularity. Many portrait prints were published at this time to capitalise upon his fame. (Updated May 2019.)