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Rare The Death of General Washington Textile

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:5,500.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Rare The Death of General Washington Textile
Washington Related

Exceedingly Rare “The Death of General Washington” Textile Listed As Number 21 In "Threads of History”

c. 1800, American Cotton Printed Textile with legend, "The Death of General Washington," After the Engraving by Amos Doolittle, Brown Print on Cloth Fabric, Framed, Fine.

This exceedingly rare, original historic textile measures 21” x 19” being framed to an overall size of 26” x 24”. It was made in Philadelphia, by Pember & Luzarder, shortly after George Washington’s death in December of 1799. This famous American textile is designed after an engraving by Amos Doolittle of New Haven, Connecticut. It is printed in dark brown on off-white cloth.
This museum quality historic textile depicts George Washington on his deathbed. He is attended to by his Doctors Craik and Dick, as Martha Washington sits at the foot of his bed. Six different ornate cartouches surround the scene, each of which lavish praise of Washington. Overall, the condition is exceptional and excellent for a textile of this type and period. There are a number of scattered small ink erosion splits, mostly noted where most heavily inked at the various outer design borders. There are some minor expected tone spots which do not distract significantly, as the entire fabric has a fairly even light tan tone, attesting to its authenticity and 210 or more, years of age. The entire textile is centered upon a white silk backing within the frame. It has not been taken out of its frame for inspection due to its fragile nature. The majority of the fine ink splits are at and along the top and right side borders. All of the text and the large central designs are quite bold and clear, with a whole and complete overall appearance for display.
This is an extremely rare textile, only the fifth that we know of, having been recorded over the past three decades. It is listed as No. 21 in the reference book entitled "Threads of History: Americana Recorded on Cloth 1775 to the Present," published by the Smithsonian Institution. We have only offered one prior example of this textile which was sold in our EAHA Auction of February 14, 2009, Lot 209, being burgundy on off-white, graded Choice Very Fine, which sold for $12,980. An important opportunity for collectors of George Washington related memorabilia and historic American textiles.