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1773 Engraved Boston Broadside: “A Prospective VIEW OF DEATH: ... and DYING SPEECH of LEVI AMES, Who was executed at Boston, on Thursday Afternoon, the Twenty-first day of October, 1773, for Burglary.”

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October 21st, 1773-Dated Pre Revolutionary War, Rare Engraved Broadside titled: “A Prospective VIEW OF DEATH” The LIFE, LAST WORDS, and DYING SPEECH of LEVI AMES, Who was executed at Boston, on Thursday Afternoon, the Twenty-first day of October, 1773, for Burglary. Framed, Fine.

The "A Prospective View of Death" was an Engraved Broadside from 1773. It is a notable, important example of Colonial American visual culture and political propaganda. This historic original Pre Revolutionary War Broadside was created in 1773, a period of increasing tensions between the American colonies and the British government. It was produced in response to the “Tea Act” of 1773, which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies and, in this same year, led to the infamous “Boston Tea Party”. The imagery is potent, including: a large Gallows Hanging Scene top center, Skull & Crossed Bones at upper left and an engraved Black Casket at upper right. Faintly handwritten in the upper right field it reads: “Presented by Mrs. Hannah Fuller of Dedham (MA.) on May 1900.” Exceedingly Rare, the only example of this Broadside we have located.

This historic Colonial American Broadside features a detailed engraving depicting a grim scene of death and destruction, with symbolic elements representing the consequences of Tyranny and Oppression. It includes graphic imagery such as Skeletons, Coffins, and other morbid symbols, as well as Allegorical figures representing “Liberty” and “Britannia”.

A Political Propaganda “Mourning” Broadside, having classic heavy black borders both surrounding and highlighting the text blocks within. The heavy rag paper printed sheet measures 19” x 14.5” being laid down on an archival backing sheet. There are some small surface abrasions from wear along the centerfolds, a 1” x .5” sealed hole affecting the text at lower right with some conservation, and the corner selvage at the bottom right corner is lacking. Professionally archivally framed in a vintage looking wood frame measuring fully to 20.75” x 16.25” with its Broadside viewed through special UV Plexiglas.

On the eve of the American Revolution, a convicted burglar, Levi Ames, was executed at Gallows Bay in Boston, MA. on October 21st of 1773. Half of the population of Boston showed up to witness the spectacle of his death. One pastor, Samuel Stillman, was by his side all the way up to the gallows. Since before Ames' conversion in jail till rescuing his body after his death from Harvard doctors, Stillman ministered to the young Ames. “Taken from his own mouth, and published at his desire, as a solemn warning to all, more particularly young people. There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 14.12.

A Poem on the Execution of Levi Ames presents Levi Ames's execution as an example of the corruptness of the British colonial system and the case for American Independence. Ames' case is proof, according to the author, that Americans are served a different brand of justice than British colonial representatives.

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF

AMBASSADOR J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II
The "A Prospective View of Death" was an Engraved Broadside from 1773. It is a notable, important example of Colonial American visual culture and political propaganda.

This historic Pre Revolutionary War Broadside was created in 1773, a period of increasing tensions between the American colonies and the British government. It was produced in response to the “Tea Act” of 1773, which granted the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies and this same year, led to the infamous “Boston Tea Party”.

The Broadside features a Detailed Engraving depicting a grim scene of Death and Destruction, with symbolic elements representing the consequences of tyranny and oppression. It includes imagery such as: Skeletons, Coffins, and other morbid symbols, as well as Allegorical figures representing “Liberty” and “Britannia”.

This Broadside was intended to convey a powerful political message about the dangers of British tyranny, and the need for resistance. It served as a form of political propaganda, designed to rally support for the Patriot cause and galvanize opposition to British rule.

These Broadside Prints were a common form of communication and propaganda in colonial America. They were distributed widely and displayed in public spaces such as taverns, meeting halls, and town squares, where they could be seen by a broad audience.

"A Prospective View of Death" was one of many visual and textual works of Political Propaganda produced during the Revolutionary era to promote the Patriot cause and denounce British policies. While it is difficult to gauge its specific impact, it would have contributed to the growing sentiment of resistance and rebellion against British authority in the years leading up to the American Revolution.

This Broadside provides valuable insights into the political and cultural climate of colonial America in the years leading up to the Revolutionary War. It reflects the widespread use of visual imagery as a means of political expression and the growing sense of American identity and unity in the face of British oppression.

Overall, "A Prospective View of Death" is a compelling example of Revolutionary-era propaganda, highlighting the power of visual imagery to convey political messages and mobilize support for the Patriot cause in colonial America.

The overwhelming majority of texts written about Levi Ames are texts warning the youth of Boston against idleness and theft, but the author of Theft and Murder!

A Poem on the Execution of Levi Ames presents Levi Ames's execution as an example of the corruptness of the British colonial system and the case for American independence. Ames' case is proof, according to the author, that Americans are served a different brand of justice than British colonial representatives.
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Lot Number: 102
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