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1800-Dated General Washington Engraving by Heath After Gilbert Stuart

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,400.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,200.00 USD
1800-Dated General Washington Engraving by Heath After Gilbert Stuart
Washington Related
1800 James Heath’s Engraving of “General Washington”
1800-Dated Federal Period, Historic Engraving by James Heath, “General Washington,” After a Painting by Gilbert Stuart, Fine.
This classic, quite famous engraving of George Washington, measures 23” x 16” and was made after the historic "Lansdowne" portrait, one of three famous portrait types by America’s most important Revolutionary War era painter, Gilbert Stuart. The large, full-length original version was sent to the Marquis of Lansdowne by the wealthy Philadelphian, William Bingham. (The other two types were called the "Vaughan" and the "Athenaeum.") The "Lansdowne" likeness was first engraved in London by James Heath and published on January 1, 1800. It was then exported to and widely advertised in America.

The original artist, Gilbert Stuart had planned to publish a print himself. He was furious with Heath’s copy and placed notices in newspapers in several cities (See "George Washington: An American Icon," pp. 59-60). The important engraving offered here shows Washington in civilian clothes, but holding his sword, and gesturing towards a table, under which are several books, one of them his “General Orders.” The leg of the table is in the form of a fasces (bundled sticks, in this case referring to strength in unity), with an eagle at the top holding arrows in its talon.

This is a wonderful display piece, having some light scattered toning and stains, housed in a plain style gold wooden frame (not examine out of the frame). There is a trivial tear in the left margin not affecting the print, and another in the upper left corner. The paper exhibits a few wrinkles here and there, possibly from the time of manufacture. We located a 2003 auction record for another copy of this famous print selling at $2,300. A lovely example for display.