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Table of Contents > Revolutionary War > Lot 92 |
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Browse the Auction in Groups of 25 Lots: |
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Lot Number: 92
Click for a Printable PageSign-in to Bid or Register to Bid Estimate Range: $3,500 - $4,500 |
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Hand-Colored “The Action Between the Serapis and the Bon Homme Richard, September 23, 1779” Original Engraving by R. Whitechurch, After the Painting by James Hamilton |
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1840-1870, Historic Hand-Color Engraved Print titled, "The Action Between the Serapis and the Bon Homme Richard, September 23, 1779", engraved by R. Whitechurch after a painting by James Hamilton (1819-1878), Jones being famous for the quotation, “I have not yet begun to fight!”, Framed, Choice Extremely Fine. Original Engraving printed by R. Whitechurch after the painting by James Hamilton (1819-1878). Hand-colored with rich vibrant blue, red other colors, professionally framed and displayed though special museum quality glare-free UV Plexiglas in a most patriotic modern wood frame measuring fully to 33” x 43.5”. In addition to his painting the first known Portrait of the dashing John Paul Jones in 1781, artist Charles Willson Peale admired Jones's patriotic courage and built a Peale Museum exhibit of "moving pictures" around the theme which he referred to as, “The Gallant Action of Paul Jones in Taking the Serapis.” Peale's Museum exhibit featured several paintings that depicted this 3-hour Naval Battle's course.Peale's words describing the battle action might well have inspired romantic marine painter James Hamilton half a century later. Peale described the allure of the battle with the HMS Serapis in his letter written to George Weeden on February 21, 1786: "The scene opens with the commencement of the Engagement in the evening - The fleet going off in the distance - the heat of the Action by Moon-light --- the Sea is calmed - The sails of both ships are torn, and the Mainmast of the Serapis falls, at which time she Surrenders -" (See: Miller, Selected Papers of Charles Willson Peale, vol. I, page 441). Depictions of the moon-lit battle were created soon after it took place. Elegant engravings of the battle were issued as early as 1784. While the American victory over HMS Serapis in 1779 is one that many historians (and Charles Willson Peale) have extolled, John Paul Jones himself soberly recounted the decisive encounter. When the 3 hour battle was over, 1st Lt. Richard Dale led the American boarders from Bonhomme Richard to the Serapis after the British flag had been lowered in surrender. He was shocked to find the remains of the Serapis crew completely scorched, yet still at their guns. John Paul Jones wrote to Benjamin Franklin on October 3, 1779... "Humanity cannot but recoil from the prospect of such finished horror...". Overall, a beautiful, highly appealing colorful presentation having exceptional eye appeal, ready to hang on display. She was placed at the disposal of John Paul Jones on February 4th, 1779, by King Louis XVI of France as a result of a loan to the United States by French shipping magnate Jacques-Donatien Le Ray. The Bonhomme Richard was procured for John Paul Jones by Colonel Stephen Moylan. The Naval Engagement between Bonhomme Richard and Serapis (Sept. 23, 1779), fought in the American Revolutionary War, was a notable American naval victory, won off the east coast of England by Captain John Paul Jones. Challenged by a large, combined French and Spanish fleet, the British Navy was too preoccupied to prevent American interference with its merchant marine in the Atlantic. Operating from French bases, John Paul Jones led a small fleet around the British Isles from August to October 1779. Sighting two enemy ships of war conveying merchantmen loaded with naval stores, Jones’s Bonhomme Richard engaged the British frigate HMS Serapis, commanded by Captain Richard Pearson, in a memorable 3 1/2-hour duel. The American commander answered a challenge to surrender early in the battle with the historic famous quotation: “I have not yet begun to fight!” The slaughter on both sides was great; an estimated 150 Americans and nearly as many British were killed or wounded. Despite the fact that his ship was sinking (later Jones moved his command to the Serapis), Jones outlasted his adversary and forced a British surrender. |
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Lot Number: 92
Click for a Printable Page Sign-in to Bid or Register to Bid |
Estimate Range: $3,500 - $4,500 |
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Early American History Auctions, Inc. 1520 Commerce St., # 312 • Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: 858 • 759 • 3290 Email: Auctions@EarlyAmerican.com |
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