American Revolution
(Congress Voting the Declaration of Independence) Print Engraved by Edward Savage After artist Robert Edge Pine, Framed
(Continental Congress Voting for Signing the Declaration of Independence), by Engraver Edward Savage (1761-1817), after an original Painting by Artist Robert Edge Pine (1730-1788), Housed in Its Large Display Frame, Choice Crisp Mint.
This important Engraved Print has no caption, date, or imprint being printed off an unfinished engraved plate, after an original Painting begun by Robert Edge Pine (d. 1788) and finished to this current extent by the noted engraver Edward Savage. Vibrant and boldly printed on heavy wove paper, here matted to 18.75" x 25.75" (by sight) and handsomely Framed to a large 29.5" x 36.5" possibly currently housed in its original frame as there is some mild wear present, with the fresh, clean vintage engraving viewed through special UV Plexiglas. It shows members of the 2nd Continental Congress gathered in the Assembly Room in the Pennsylvania State House (now called Independence Hall), Philadelphia. Completed figures include: John Adams, Roger Sherman, James Wilson and Thomas Jefferson, handing a Document to John Hancock, the President of the Congress. Seated in the front from left to right are: Samuel Adams, Robert Morris, Benjamin Franklin (sitting in a Windsor chair), Charles Carroll and Stephen Hopkins (shown wearing a dark hat). (Source: American Antiquarian Society catalog, 2008).
The original engraved plate was also left unfinished in the early 19th century and is currently located at the Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Restrikes from that plate were made late in the 19th century, likely c. 1876 for the American Centennial. (Source: American Antiquarian Society catalog, 2008) A vintage label on the reverse of the frame indicates this item was once purchased from the prestigious "Kennedy Galleries, 40 West 57th Street, 5th Floor, New York".
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF
AMBASSADOR J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II
The final draft of the Declaration was approved by the Continental Congress on July 4, although the date of its signing has long been disputed. Most historians have concluded that it was Signed on August 2, 1776, nearly a month after its adoption, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.