LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Grand Format Autographs #629  / 

25990

John Paul Jones: Historic and Rare Engraving

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
John Paul Jones: Historic and Rare Engraving
<B>John Paul Jones: Historic and Rare Engraving of the Battle Between his Ship <I>Bonhomme Richard</B></I></B></I> <B>and the British <I>Serapis</B></I>.</B></I> Hand colored engraving, 21" x 15", 1779, French, depicting the battle between John Paul Jones, the commander of the Bonhomme Richard and the British Baltic Convoy. After conducting sea raids on the coast of Britain, John Paul Jones took command in 1779 of a rebuilt French merchant ship, renamed the U.S.S. <I>Bonhomme Richard</B></I> to honor Benjamin Franklin. On September 23, 1779, Jones engaged the British frigate <I>Serapis</B></I> in the North Sea, daringly sailing in close, lashing his vessel to the British ship, and fighting the battle at point-blank range. During the right two of his cannons burst, and the British captain asked Jones if he was ready to surrender. Replied Jones: "Sir, I have not yet begun to fight." The American crew finally bordered the <I>Serapis</B></I> after the British had struck her colors, and from the deck of the <I>Serapis</B></I> they watched the U.S.S. <I>Bonhomme Richard</B></I> sink into the North Sea. A very rare engraving, especially in this hand-colored version. One of the earliest hand-colored American historical engravings. Grolier 9; cf. Olds 76 (different publisher); Smith 17. Fine condition.
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