Washington Related
Accounts of George Washington's Death, Eulogies and an Illustrated Description of his Funeral Coffin & Pallbearers
December 26 to 30, 1799-Dated, Federal Period, Historical Newspaper, "The Independent Chronicle and Universal Advertiser," with rare Illustrations including "Interment of Washington," Boston, MA, Fine.
A complete and authentic issue of The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser, Boston, Massachusetts, December 26 - December 30, 1799, 4 pages, 11.75" x 20", disbound, some roughness to the extreme outer selvage edges. All pages edged in mourning black, with accounts of Washington's death, eulogies and an illustrated description of his funeral commencing on page 3 and continuing through the first half of page four with black "mourning" borders present.
The rarely encountered historical engravings for the narrative include a picture of Washington's bier, and a schematic view of his coffin amid the names of his pallbearers. A full column and a half on Washington's death, with some excerpts; "His deeds exceed all speech. His fame is 'written with a pen of iron with a point of a diamond.' His counsel is 'graven upon the table of our heart.' His deeds, his fame and his counsel will endure until' the great globe itself; yea, all which inherit it shall dissolve.'" This newspaper was published within two weeks of the former president's death, this scarce account is contemporaneous by late 18th century American standards. Rarely are woodblock engraved illustrations found in the accounts of George Washington's Death.