Auction Closing: March 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Lot Number: 144
Estimate Range: $8,000 - $10,000
“A CORRECT VIEW OF THE LATE BATTLE AT CHARLESTOWN June 17th 1775. (Robert) Aitken, Sculp” The Earliest Obtainable View of the Battle of Bunker Hill

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BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. Engraved Print titled, "A Correct View of the Late Battle at Charlestown." [Robert] Aitken: After Bernard ROMANS, Printed for The Pennsylvania Magazine, September 1775., Framed, Very Fine.

This contemporary Revolutionary War Engraved Print is considered to be the earliest obtainable view of the Battle of Bunker Hill. While it is not known whether Bernard Romans was present at Bunker Hill, he produced an etching under the title, “An Exact View of the Late Battle at Charleston, June 17, 1775” and advertising it for sale in the 16 September 1775 issue of the Pennsylvania Ledger.

The present example is a somewhat scaled-down version after Bernard Romans work, produced by engraver Robert Aitken. This Print, which first appeared in the September 1775 issue of the short-lived “Pennsylvania Magazine,” was first advertised for sale at the beginning of October 1775 (See: Pennsylvania Ledger, 2 October 1775, page 1). Aitken also offered for sale “one-off” editions of his historic, “A CORRECT VIEW OF THE LATE BATTLE AT CHARLESTOWN” engraved print to his clients. This current offered example, measuring 8” x 10.75” (by sight) appears to be in the original state category and professionally framed viewed through special UV Plexiglas and is ready to hand on display. The print has large outer margins, some overall light tone with moderate scattered tone at the upper and outer margins, light folds, and remains solid, having no tears, as shown. The print quality is sharp and dark, frame has some surface wear (not removed from its frame).

Romans, in reacting to Robert Aitken's copy as piracy, took out an advertisement in early October, noting that his print was "much superior to any pirated copy now offered or offering to the public." (See: Pennsylvania Ledger, 7 October 1775, page 1). However, while Romans offered his prints for five shillings (plain uncolored) and seven shillings sixpence (colored), Robert Aitken was offering his version for a mere sixpence, which may explain the incredible rarity of the Romans “original” with only ten examples known to exist. Both editions are very rare. No copy of Romans's original has appeared at auction since 1973 (Sotheby's, New York, 18 May 1973, lot 71), making the present copy by Aitken currently the earliest view of the Battle of Bunker Hill obtainable.

A similar engraving by Aitken, Hand-colored, was sold by Christie’s, New York, January 2021, Lot 312 which sold for $12,500 (with buyer’s fee), that lot was also consigned by Ambassador Middendorf. That Christies lot was described as: “Moderate toning, mounted to a larger sheet, marginal chips and losses along left margin, vertical creases, lighter marks at top right corner. Framed.” See: Stauffer 3; Stokes & Haskell, p. 27, Shadwell 54.

PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF

AMBASSADOR J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II


Bernard Romans (1741-1784), was a Dutch-born cartographer, surveyor, engineer, soldier and writer, best known for his 1775 work titled: “A Concise Natural History of East and West Florida”. He became active in revolutionary politics soon after he left Florida in 1773 to travel in the northern British colonies.

Romans was present in Boston at the time of the Tea Party in December 1773, and in April 1775 was appointed a Captain of militia by the Connecticut Committee of Safety. Romans's company marched to Fort George soon afterwards and then to Ticonderoga to help secure the valuable artillery stored there.

While it is not known whether Romans was present at Bunker Hill, he produced an etching under the title, An Exact View of the Late Battle at Charleston, June 17, 1775 and advertising it for sale in the 16 September 1775 issue of the Pennsylvania Ledger.