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PAUL REVERE, Jr. Engraved Print of the British Troops Landing at Boston Harbor

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:8,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
PAUL REVERE, Jr. Engraved Print of the British Troops Landing at Boston Harbor
Colonial America
“A Prospective View of the Town of BOSTON, the Capitol of New England ; and of the Landing of ---- Troops in the Year 1768, in Consequence of Letters from Gov. Bernard, the Commissioners, & c. to the British Ministry. - EDES & GILL’s North - American ALMANACK For the Year 1770” Paul Revere’s Historic Engraved Print of the British Troops Landing at Boston Harbor per the British “Intolerable Acts”
REVERE, PAUL (1735-1818, artist). Edes & Gill's North-American Almanack, and Massachusetts Register for the Year 1770. Boston: sold by Edes and Gill in Queen Street and T. & J. Fleet at the Heart and Crown in Cornhill, 1770, (printed in 1769 for the coming year 1770).
This is an exceedingly rare early view and scene of Boston Harbor in 1768 as printed from a metal-cut Engraved by Patriot Silversmith Paul Revere, Jr., as both artist and engraver. Of important note, this is Revere's only metal-cut that is “Signed,” being Engraved in the Plate design “P . REVERE” shown in the bottom frame at center. This rare Almanack and its Revere Print (in horizontal format) measures 6.5” tall x 3.75” wide (165 x 96 mm). It contains 29 leaves of 30, the “E3” page (30) is present, however it is reproduced in facsimile). Original self-wrapper with the Revere engraving as frontpiece, as made (spine archivally rebound), housed in a custom burgundy linen surround with slipcase. At bottom, in the foreground of the print at bottom has the artist’s name “P . REVERE” engraved within the border frame. Below, are the names of the British Ships shown in the Harbor: “1 Beaver. - 2 Senegal. - 3 Martin. - 4 Glasgow. - 5 Mermaid. - 6 Romney. - 7 Lanceston. - 8 Bonet(ta).”

As recorded in “PAUL REVERE’S ENGRAVINGS” by Brigham, page 81: “On February 19th, 1770, Edes & Gill had announced in their newspaper “Boston Gazette” that on “Thursday next (February 22nd) will be published Edes & Gill’s North-American Almanack for 1770 ... containing A Prospective View of the Town of Boston ... and of the Landing of Troops in 1768.” This almanac includes the Revere engraving as a frontpiece, cut on type-metal. It is signed “P . REVERE.” and differs considerably from the later engraved view.”

Of note, Paul Revere also engraved a far larger Copper-Plate Engraving of the British Troops Landing at Boston Harbor that would appear in April of 1770 and sold by him, which is more famous and often Hand-colored. This smaller metal-cut Almanack version is rarer, and only available as part of this extremely rare Patriotic Boston Almanack, sold by Edes and Gill for 1770. Much of the available text expressing the Patriotic American colonist’s cause of “Liberty” while documenting the great distress of the Colonial Town of Boston suffered with the Landing of the British Troops, shortly leading up the infamous “Boston Massacre”.

The Paul Revere Engraved Metal-cut Print of the British troops Landing at Boston Harbor is here placed on front, as a self-wrapper for its most visible prominent possible display, attesting to its great importance. There are minor expert archival repairs around the edges of wood engraving with some losses to printed caption, areas of repair and reinforcement throughout, mostly around edges but sometimes affecting printed area).

Certainly, the primary collector “value” is squarely placed on the rare Paul Revere Engraving. However, this 1770 Almanack itself is a rarity and important its Patriotic calls for “Liberty” extensively expressed in its text. Publisher Benjamin Edes and Paul Revere were both early founding members of the Sons of Liberty, holding their meetings in the famous Green Dragon Tavern in Boston. Edes would later instigate and personally financially fund the Sons of Liberty’s famous “Boston Tea Party” of 1773.

This copy is exceedingly rare, being the Only Engraving of this Print Recorded at Auction by either RBH and American Book Prices Current. See: Sabin 21833; Evans 11479 (previously erroneously attributed to Samuel Stearns); Drake 3189; and is further fully documented and illustrated by Clarence Brigham in his masterful reference titled: “Paul Revere's Engravings” as noted on page 199 and illustrated in Plate 68 (showing similar wear to the top legend).
Paul Revere's engraved Prospective view of the Town of Boston, which appeared in the 1770 edition of the Edes & Gill Almanack, is a remarkable work of art that offers a detailed and panoramic view of the Town of Boston from the perspective of the harbor.

The Print is divided into two sections:

The upper portion shows the bustling waterfront with British Warships and boats of various sizes and types, while the lower portion provides a detailed view of the city's buildings, streets, and landmarks. The foreground of the print at bottom has “P . REVERE” engraved in the frame. Below are the names of the British Ships:

“1 Beaver. - 2 Senegal. - 3 Martin. - 4 Glasgow. - 5 Mermaid. - 6 Romney. - 7 Lanceston. - 8 Bonet(ta).”

Another interesting aspect of the print is the way it captures the atmosphere of colonial Boston. The buildings appear to be tightly packed together, reflecting the cramped conditions of urban life in the colonial era.

Overall, Paul Revere's Prospective view of the Town of Boston is a remarkable piece of art that offers a unique glimpse into the history of Boston and its inhabitants during this dire Pre-Revolutionary War colonial period.