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An excellent print celebrating one of the most famous American naval achievements of the War of 1812. The United States, under Capt. Stephen Decatur, seeking British shipping to harass, found and engaged the Macedonian near the Canary Islands. After a fierce fight, the Macedonian was forced to surrender, and in a bold move, Decatur brought the ship back to New York, the first British man-of-war as prize into an American port. It was this episode, in particular, that raised the national pride and confidence in the Navy and eventually lead Congress to allocate further shipbuilding for the war and future events. This is one of the best prints of this episode, by famous marine painter Thomas Birch. It was one of three commemorative naval prints by well known engraver Benjamin Tanner. It shows the United States throwing a full broadside at the demasted Macedonian. Below the print is a small oval portrait of Captain Decatur with phrase "Free Trade and No Impressment." On either sides of the portrait are extracts from Decatur's official letter of the engagement and statements of armaments and losses of each ship at right. The second state of this print can be identified by the addition of J. Webster as co-publisher of the print. The print by Birch is evocative of this national pride in the event-dramatic and powerful-and is one of Birch's best known paintings. $2,400
Thomas Birch. "This Representation of the U.S. Frigate Constitution, Isaac Hull, Esqr. Commander, Capturing His Britannic Majesty's Frigate Guerriere..." Philadelphia: James Webster, August, 1813. Engraved by C. Tiebout. 17 3/4 x 26 3/8. Second State. Uncolored. Several tears into image and margins, all expertly repaired. Otherwise, good condition and appearance. Olds: 120.
A superb print celebrating the first American naval victory of the War of 1812. This battle was fought on August 19, 1812. The captain of the American ship, Isaac Hull, was considered to be the most respected and most competent American naval captain at the time. The Constitution sighted the Guerriere in the open sea east of Boston. The engagement lasted only forty minutes and ended with the surrender of the English vessel. The Guerriere was so badly damaged that Hull had her blown up and sunk, and the surviving English sailors were taken to Boston. This battle was important because it was the first American naval victory of the war. Up until then the war had not gone well for the United States, and when the news of this victory reached the American people; it was greeted with much celebration. $3,200
Thomas Birch. "This Representation of the U.S. Frigate United States, Stephen Decatur Esqr. Commander, Capturing His Britannic Majesty's Frigate Macedonian..." Most likely printed in Philadelphia, 1815+. 25 3/4 x 18. Line engraving by S. Seymour. Second State. Several tears into image and margins, all expertly repaired. Otherwise, good condition and appearance. Olds:163
A superb print celebrating one of the most famous naval achievements of the War of 1812. The United States engaged the Macedonian and captured it near the Canary Islands. In a bold move, Capt. Stephen Decatur brought the ship back to New York, the first British man-of-war as prize into an American port. It was this episode, in particular, that raised the national pride and confidence in the Navy and eventually lead Congress to allocate further shipbuilding for the war and future events. The print by Birch is evocative of this national pride in the event-- dramatic and powerful-- and is one of Birch's best known marine paintings. $3,000
[First view]
Pair of prints by Sully and Kearny. "Battle on Lake Erie." Philadelphia: Murray Draper Fairman & Co. and James Webster, July 1815. Engravings. Ca. 18 x 25 3/4. Good margins. Minor wear and blemishes. Very good condition. Olds: 241 & 242; Smith: 124 & 125.
A very rare pair of engravings of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s victory at the Battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813. These prints were issued within two years of the battle, dedicated by the co-publisher, James Webster, to “Commodore Perry his Officers and gallant Crews.” These separately issued prints were intended for purchase and framing by the crew members, their families, and any interested in this stirring American victory in the War of 1812. The pair show different stages in the battle and the depictions are precise and accurate. Indeed, Perry wrote the publishers that “I have no hesitation in pronouncing them a correct representation of the engagement at those particular moments.” $6,200
Thomas Birch. "Capture of the Guerriere by the Constitution." From John H. Hinton's The History and Topography of the United States of North America. Boston: S. Walker, 1832-56. 5 x 7 1/2. Steel engraving by D. Kimberly. Hand color. Excellent condition.
A lovely example of a steel engraving from one of the more popular nineteenth century view books, Hinton's History and Topography. This work contained text and numerous illustrations documenting the history and topography of the United States. Hinton used many different artists, in this case using Thomas Birch's famous image of this battle. $125
Anon. "View of the Action between the U.S. Frigate Constitution and the British Ships Levant and Cyane." Probably published in Philadelphia, ca 1815. 4 x 7 1/4. Stipple engraving. Print has been remargined at top. Otherwise, very good condition. $175
Francis Kearney. "The Capture of the H.B.M. Sloop of War Frolic, Capn. Whinyates, by the U.S. Sloop of War Wasp, Capn. Jab. Jones, on the 18th of Octr. 1812, after a close Action of 43 Minutes." Philadelphia: F. Kearny, [1813]. Second State published by C.P. Fessenden, [1830]. 16 3/8 x 11 3/4. Aquatint by F. Kearny. Repaired tear into image at top. Light stain in upper right corner of image. Otherwise, very good condition. Smith 50; Olds 148.
A detailed print of a naval engagement between the Wasp and the Frolic during the War of 1812. This battle occurred on October 18, 1812. The American ship Wasp encountered the English ship Frolic escorting a convoy of merchant ships. From the opening shot the English ship was winning the battle until the Frolic hooked her bowsprit into the rigging of the Wasp. This allowed the Wasp to fire broadside after broadside into the Frolic while the English ship was unable to return any substantial fire. An American boarding party commanded by James Biddle had little opposition in taking the ship due to the ferocity of the Wasp's cannon fire. A crew was assembled to pilot the Frolic to Boston, but both ships were surprised by the arrival of the British seventy four gun warship H.M.S. Poictiers. Neither ship, nor the Americans, were in any condition to fight, and both ships were taken without opposition. $1,400
Alonzo Chapell. "Battle Between the Constitution and the Guerriere." New York: Johnson & Fry & Co., 1866. 7 3/4 x 5 1/2. Steel engraving. Very good condition.
An interesting perspective of this battle just after the end of the fighting. The Constitution is seen head on with the demasted Guerriere in the background. Alonzo Chappel was a historical painter and illustrator. Born in New York in 1828 he studied at the National Academy and exhibited at the American Institute before he was seventeen. He lived his whole life in the New York City vicinity before his death in 1887. He is mainly known as an illustrator of historical books; the majority of these concerning the American Revolution and the Civil War. Some of his paintings and prints can be found at the New York and Chicago Historical Societies. This print is a good example of Chappel's work. $75
Chapin. "Action Between the Constitution and the Guerriere." New York: Virtue Emmins & Co., 1859. Engraving. 5 1/4 x 7 1/2. Very good condition.
A more primitive rendering of this battle with the French ship mast-less and the triumphant Constitution in the background. $60
"Perry's Victory on Lake Erie." Chicago: Kurz & Allison, ca. 1890. 21 x 28. Chromolithograph. Very good condition.
The Chicago firm of Kurz & Allison is well known for its production of commemorative prints of American historical scenes. Founded in 1880, the firm’s avowed purpose was to design “for large scale establishments of all kinds, and in originating and placing on the market artistic and fancy prints of the most elaborate workmanship.” Elaborate they certainly were: the majority of their prints are bright and dramatic, with action throughout the image. Drawn in a broad, graphic style that developed from Kurz’s background as a muralist, these prints have a striking appearance that makes them not only interesting historical images but also excellent decorative prints. $650
"Battle of New Orleans." Chicago: Kurz & Allison, 1890. 21 x 28. Chromolithograph. Repaired marginal tear in upper right. Very good condition.
Another War of 1812 print by Kurz & Allison. This image of the Battle of New Orleans is one of the most dramatic of this battle, which while fought after the treaty of peace was signed, was crucial in making the reputation of General Andrew Jackson, drawn astride his white stallion, directing his troops against the charging Red Coats. A wonderful example of American battle art and of the output of this Chicago firm. $600
William Edward West. "Battle of New Orleans and Death of Major General Packenham On the 8th of January 1815." Third state. Philadelphia, ca. 1815, 1930s? Wove paper. 13 x 19 (image) with full margins to the deckle edge of the paper. Engraving by Joseph Yeager. Excellent condition.
A stirring image of the Battle of New Orleans by William Edward West, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, who studied in Philadelphia under Thomas Sully. The engraver, Joseph Yeager was one of the many engravers working in Philadelphia during the early nineteenth century. His work is known for its liveliness, and this battle scene is typical. The battle was fought on January 8, 1815, two weeks after the Treaty of Ghent which ended the war. The news of the peace had not reached New Orleans, which allowed Andrew Jackson to win his great victory.
This print was probably done in Philadelphia, and we believe with John Carbonell that it probably copied and improved upon Francis Scacki's primitive version of the same scene. This printing is obviously from a later impression, for as Carl Dreppard points out in his Early American Prints, p. 81, the restrike has the officer facing the dying Peckenham pointing to the sky, while this version has the officer with a handkerchief in front of his face. We assign a date in the 1930s due to the probability that restrikes were done on this undated, wove paper during the resurgence of interest in Jacksonian history during Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal when books such as Schlesinger's The Age of Jackson interpreted that biography and history through the light of America's emergence from the Great Depression. The location of the plate is no longer known, so we can be grateful that fine crisp images of this fascinating plate exist today. $450
William Bainbridge (1774-1833) served in the American merchant marine in his early career, and entered the U.S. Navy in 1798 anticipating the quasi-war with France. He became famous in 1803 when his ship the frigate Philadelphia ran aground in Tripoli Harbour, and he and his crew were held captive for almost two years. He returned to merchant service, then returned to the Navy with the outbreak of the War of 1812. Under Isaac Hull's command he captured the British frigate Guerriere and soon thereafter sank the frigate Java, both when captain of the U.S.S. Constitution. He was rightly included in John Wesley Jarvis' 1813 series depicting portraits of American heroes in the War of 1812 for the New York City Hall. $600
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