American Historical Ephemera & Photography

8vo (114 x 184 mm). (Very occasional light brown spotting.) Disbound (minor soil to first and last pages).

A rare and very early description of the death of Black Bart (Bartholomew Roberts, 1682-1722) with ONE OF THE EARLIEST DESCRIPTION OF A JOLLY ROGER PIRATE FLAG.

Roberts is considered the most successful pirate from the Golden Age of Piracy, measured by the number of vessels captured - the Welshman captured over 400 in his lifetime. His infamy was so widespread, that he was often known as "The Great Pyrate." Early in his seafaring life, Roberts was an able navigator and second mate aboard the slave ship Princess. When anchored along the Gold Coast, the ship was captured by pirates led by another Welshman, Howell Davis. Forced to join the pirates, Roberts's navigational skills were put to use and Davis would take advantage of their mutual Welsh intelligibility. Shortly thereafter, Davis was ambushed and killed by authorities on Principe and within 6 weeks Roberts was elected by the crew as the new captain of the Royal Rover.

After avenging Davis by plundering Principe, Roberts led his crew on a reign of piracy throughout the Caribbean, Brazil, Canada, and West Africa. Here, his demise at the hands of Captain Chaloner Ogle of the HMS Swallow is reported: "Capt. Ogle, had taken by Stratagem the Ship of Roberts the great and notorious Pirate, and two other large Ships his Consorts." This author supports the theory that Ogle appeared to flee in a ruse to lure the pirates: "The Swallow ran away, and so decoy'd him out of the Reach of the other Ships."

Captain Ogle's deceptions continue: "Afterwards the Man of War hoisted up the King's Colours (under Roberts black Flag, having a white Skeleton in it) and so went into  Lopas to look after the other two Ships that were upon the Heel. The Pyrates on board seeing the Man of War coming in with a black Flag uppermost, jump'd for Joy, concluding that Roberts had taken the Man of War; but they soon found to the contrary, for the Swallow took them with little Resistance." 

Roberts was killed when the Swallow delivered a broadside and he was struck in the throat with grapeshot. Before being boarded, his crew honored his oft-repeated wishes of being buried at sea with all of his arms and ornaments.