Admiral Maarten Harpertzoon Tromp (1597-1653)

Admiral Maarten Harpertzoon Tromp (1597-1653), Lieutenant-Admiral of the Dutch fleet, death at the Battle of the Texel, silver medal, 1653, by Pieter van Abeele (1608-1684), formed of two clichés bound by a rim, bust in armour, three-quarters right, wearing the Badge of the Order of St Michael on ribband, engraved ornamentation behind, MART HERP TROMP …, rev., helm over his shield of arms, griffin supporters, a naval engagement within cartouche below, OBYT Æ 56, 70.5mm (MI 402/32; vL II, 364; MH 540). Nearly extremely fine and rare.

Tromp established his reputation with the destruction of the Spanish fleet at the Battle of the Downs in 1639, a battle that effectively ended Spanish sea power. The Battle of Texel [Scheveningen] was fought between the Dutch and English forces as the Dutch tried to break the English blockade of the Dutch coast. The outcome was indecisive and heavy losses were incurred on both sides. Tromp was killed by a sharpshooter in the rigging of William Penn's ship.

Provenance: Bt. D. Fearon, May, 2008.