329

1837 McKenny + Hall Lithograph, RED-JACKET A SENECA WAR CHIEF

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Decorative Arts Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:2,400.00 - 2,800.00 USD
1837 McKenny + Hall Lithograph, RED-JACKET A SENECA WAR CHIEF
Prints
“Red Jacket” Wearing His George Washington Peace Medal
1837 Hand-Colored McKenney & Hall Lithograph: “RED-JACKET A SENECA WAR CHIEF,” Published by E.C. Biddle, Philadelphia, PA, Choice Extremely Fine.
This is a lovely hand-colored, original Large folio color lithograph of the famous Seneca Indian Chief “Red Jacket” wearing his massive, large-size, Silver Oval 1792 George Washington Indian Peace Medal, (made by silversmith Joseph Richardson of Philadelphia) . This famous print measures a full 20” x 14.25” with minor soiling along the wide margins, disbound from McKenney & Hall’s “History of the Indian Tribes of North America.” This lithograph was “Printed & Coloured at I.T. Bowen’s Lithographic Establishment / Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1837....”.

This historic print is also accompanied by the original, mated large folio, 13-page biography of Red Jacket, also from McKenney and Hall’s “History of the Indian Tribes of North America...” 20” x 14.5”, which is Very Fine, with scattered foxing. A footnote mentions that Red Jacket normally dressed only in his tribal costume, but made an exception when he sat for the painting by C.B. King, from which this print is made. (2 items) .
Red Jacket was the important Seneca Indian Chief who received a 1792 Peace Medal from George Washington. His medal is one of the extremely rare large oval silver versions specially produced for the government, being hand-engraved in silver by silversmith Joseph Richardson of Philadelphia and having his personal silversmith’s punch mark. This very medal is one of the few large Silver Indian Peace Medals with an uninterrupted pedigree. Although proud of his Peace Medal, Red Jacket pawned it off once while he was drunk. A benefactor recognized the medal and its importance, redeemed the medal and returned it to Red Jacket. The medal still exists today and was used to illustrate both the Belden and Prucha works. Red Jacket is portrayed in a blue jacket with gold buttons, a white shirt, and a red scarf; the huge peace medal is held by a blue ribbon. This beautiful and extremely historic print would make an important addition to any collection of Indian Peace Medals and illustrates one of the most famous recipients.