Civil War Photos
"The Capture of Major Andr" Revolutionary War Historic Theme Civil War High-Relief Quarter Plate Union Case
c. 1850-1860 Civil War Era, Quarter Plate Union Case, Depicts "The Capture of Major Andr" after the 1845 Painting by Asher Brown Durand, containing Two Daguerreotype Portraits, produced by Samuel Peck & Company, New Haven, CT., Choice Near Mint.
This superb historic Revolutionary War Theme Union Case measures about 5" x 4". Face front top lid shows "The Capture of Major Andr" scene in high-relief with a decorative surround. The reverse has a decorative oval design at center with flourishes at each corner. The original dies for this rare case were sunk by Frederick P. Goll after the 1845 painting by Asher Brown Durand, and was manufactured by Samuel Peck & Company, New Haven, CT. Inside has two Daguerreotype Portraits of unknown handsome gentlemen. Images show each man in waist-up pose. Reference: (Berg 1-22/3-17). This case has excellent eye appeal with no chips or wear with its clasp fully intact and functional.
The Capture of Major Andr by Asher Brown Durand - 1845
Major John Andr (1750-1780) was a British spy hanged during the American Revolution for assisting Benedict Arnold's failed plot to surrender the fort at West Point, New York, to the British Army. This painting depicts the moment on September 23, 1780, when Andr was detained by armed militiamen near Tarrytown, New York, who discovered incriminating papers in his boot, revealing Arnold's scheme to hand the fort over to the British in exchange for 20,300 and a brigadier's commission. Sentenced to death, the dignity with which Andr accepted his fate endeared him to enemies.
George Washington called Andr, "An accomplished man and gallant officer," while Alexander Hamilton wrote, "Never perhaps did any man suffer death with more justice, or deserve it less."
The story of Major Andr became a popular subject for artists. Jacob Eichholtz and Thomas Sully both painted scenes of his arrest, but the best-known depiction of his capture is this work by Asher B. Durand.
In 1845, the American Art-Union commissioned this painting from Durand, asking him to improve upon an earlier version he painted in 1834. This painting was included in the Art-Union's annual members' lottery in December of 1845, where it was won by Cornelius Van Horn of New York. For years, the whereabouts of this painting was unknown to scholars, only recently surfacing in a private collection. Acquired by the Birmingham Museum of Art, this is the first time this painting has been on public view since 1845.