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Lot Number: 100
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Estimate Range: $5,000 - $6,000
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“JOHN PAUL JONES, Commander of a Squadron in the Service of THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, 1779” Historic Revolutionary War Mezzotint Engraving Framed Under Glass

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1779-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Mezzotint Engraved Print titled, “JOHN PAUL JONES, Commander of a Squadron in the Service of THE THIRTEEN UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, 1779”, Framed, Fine.

This rare historic print has been professionally framed under glass, it has a hard to see crack in the original glass from the left bottom edge to the middle edge at right. An additional piece of glass has been placed over original glass of this mezzotint for additional protection and preservation. Decoratively framed to an overall framed and housed in an antique two-tone wood frame measuring to an overall size of 16.5” x 12.5”. The engraver and publisher of this famous print is unknown. No information appears in its engraved plate.

John Paul Jones is most famous for his historic declaration during the battle between HMS Serapis and USS Bonhomme Richard, “I have not yet begun to fight!” An exceptionally nice example of this rare historic Engraving, showing a three-quarters near full-length profile of John Paul Jones (spelled here in the classic style as IOHN PAUL IONES). He is shown wearing his full American Navy uniform with his sword in a scabbard at his side, while holding a long brass telescope in the crook of his right arm. In the background is his Ship, the Bonhomme Richard, afire with billowing smoke (Jones won the battle against the British Warship Serapis which he captured, but lost his own ship). Jones appears to be standing at the bow of a small boat.

The image size measures 13.75” x 9.5” (by sight) and the full plate size appears likely to be about 14” x 10”. Every Revolutionary War Naval collector should wish to acquire this important print. Not examined out of its frame which has some minor rub and a few scrapes that should be easy to touch-up. The prints overall condition appears to be excellent yet somewhat dark overall and is ready to hang on display.

Over the decades we’ve seen a only small number of other examples, including one in the New York Public Library. That example has a manuscript notation under Jones’ name that reads: “Second in command of the first vessel fitted out in the service under Hopkins” (the Hopkins referred to there would be Commodore Esek Hopkins). The National Portrait Gallery has one. We’ve seen an earlier engraved state without the title below and no text beneath the portrait offered by a dealer for the price of $7,000. References See: Cresswell, The American Revolution in Drawings and Prints LC132; Chaloner Smith, British Mezzotinto Portraits page 1735, no. 97.
John Paul Jones (born John Paul; July 6, 1747 - July 18, 1792) was the United States' first well-known naval commander in the American Revolutionary War. He made many friends among America's political elites (including John Hancock and Benjamin Franklin), as well as enemies (who accused him of piracy), and his actions in British waters during the Revolution earned him an international reputation which persists to this day. As such, he is sometimes referred to as the "Father of the American Navy" (a sobriquet he shares with John Barry and John Adams.

Jones was born and grew up in Scotland, became a sailor, and served as commander of several British merchant ships. After having killed one of his crew members with a sword, he fled to the Colony of Virginia and around 1775 joined the newly founded Continental Navy in their fight against the Kingdom of Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War.

Jones commanded U.S. Navy ships stationed in France and led one single assault on Britain, which resulted in a failure, and few on British merchant ships. Left without a command in 1787, he joined the Imperial Russian Navy and obtained the rank of Rear Admiral.
Keywords: JOHN PAUL JONES, American Revolution, Revolutionary War, Mezzotint, Engraving, 1779, HMS Serapis, USS Bonhomme Richard, National Portrait Gallery, Navy, Naval
Lot Number: 100
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Estimate Range: $5,000 - $6,000
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