American Revolution
100th Anniversary Copy of Paul Revere's 1768 Engraved Print: The Landing of British Troops in the Town of Boston
1868, 100th Anniversary Commemorative Hand-Colored, Alfred L. Sewell issued facsimile reproduction Engraved Print, After Paul Revere's historic c. 1770 Engraved Print of the 1768 Landing of British Troops in the Town of Boston, Sewell's being printed by the Western Bank Note and Engraving Company of Chicago in 1868, Framed, Choice Crisp Near Mint.
This is a well known c. 1868 engraved facsimile rendering of Paul Revere's engraved print titled, "A View of Part of the Town of Boston in New England and British Ships of War Landing Their Troops 1768." This correctly sized 11.5" x 17.5" copy was issued by Alfred L. Sewell, "Publisher of The Little Corporal," to commemorate the Centennial,100th Anniversary of the historic event. This 1868 version was printed by the Western Bank Note and Engraving Company of Chicago, created in wonderful exacting detail and Hand-colored. This version shows Boston Harbor (Mass.), Long Wharf (Boston, Mass.) and the British Troops landing from various ships. Compared to Revere's print, it only lacks the "hanging" scene in the left end. The "hanging" scene may have been omitted because Sewell published children's books and magazines, and this print may have been considered intended for a young audience. Currently housed in a very nice, appropriately gold painted, 12.75" x 18.5" period appropriate more modern wooden frame which nicely compliments and accents this fine historic print. An inscription on the back states that this current print was purchased at Goodspeed's Bookstore in Boston, in 1945. Aside from a few trivial light spots, this print is in virtually perfect mint condition. This version was created as the original engraved copper-plate used by Paul Revere, Jr. was no longer possible to strike reprints from. Revere used the reverse side during the American Revolutionary War to engrave and print a sheet of Massachusetts currency notes known as the "Sword in Hand" issue of December 7, 1775. To properly size the copper-plate to better accomodate the printing of notes, he cut off sections along the left and bottom edges, destroying the original engraving on the opposite side! That original engraved plate is now housed in the Massachusetts Archive office. A very scarce, wonderful and affordable example of this highly important print. See: Brigham, Paul Revere's Engravings, 1969, pages 79-85. Ex: Goodspeed's Bookstore, Boston, 1945.
Provenance: Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II.
A facsimile (from Latin fac simile, "to make alike") is a copy or reproduction of an old book, manuscript, map, engraved print, or other item of historical value that is as true to the original source as possible. It differs from other forms of reproduction by attempting to replicate the source as accurately as possible in scale, color, condition, and other material qualities.