Pirates approaching a treasure ship, by Howard Pyle, early 20th century illustration.

Pirates approaching a treasure ship, by Howard Pyle, early 20th century illustration

Pirate Captain on Deck, by Howard Pyle, early 20th century illustration

Medal commemorating R. L. Stevenson's novel 'Treasure Island'

Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596) by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger, 1591

Dragut Reis, the famous Barbary corsair, by A. Catel after A. Debelle, early 19th century colour engraving

Captain Henry Avery taking one of the Great Moghul's ships, 18th century print

William Dampier, by Thomas Murray

Pirate William Kidd buries treasure on Gardiner's Islandby Howard Pyle, early 20th century illustration

Captain Edward Teach or ‘Blackbeard’, by Thomas Nicholls, 18th century

Anne Bonny, 18th century engraving

Mary Read, 18th century engraving

Chinese Pirate Flag, c1849

Selection of 18th century pirate flags

Map of North America, by Herman Moll, c1712

Pirate nimcha

Soup tureen presented to Lord Amelius Beauclerk, Captain of HMS Dryad in 1796 for capturing French privateers.

Ransom demands from Chinese pirates, 1928

Astrolabe, 1548

Engraved nautilus shells