Auction Closing: December 14, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Lot Number: 106
Estimate Range: $3,500 - $4,500
“The memorable engagement of Captn. Pearson of the Serapis, with Paul Jones of the Bon Homme Richard & his Squadron, Sep. 23, 1779” by Richard Paton Published by John Boydell, London, 1780

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December 12, 1780-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Historic British Engraving titled, “The memorable engagement of Captn. Pearson of the Serapis, with Paul Jones of the Bon Homme Richard & his Squadron, Sep. 23, 1779”, by artist Richard Paton, Engravers and Printed by Fittler & Lerpiniere, Published by John Boydell, London, Framed, Very Fine.

Important Naval Battle American Revolutionary War Engraving titled: “The Memorable Engagement of Captn. Pearson of the Serapis, with Paul Jones of the Bon Homme Richard & his Squadron, Sep. 23 1779.” This historic engraving is of the savage nightime naval battle between British HMS Serapis (at lower left), commanded by Richard Pearson, and the American Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones. It is one of the only Revolutionary Wartime prints to depict a warship of the Continental Navy in action-and by far the finest. The engravers, James Fittler and Daniel Lerpinire, based the print after the original painting by Richard Paton, one of the most accomplished marine artists of the eighteenth century.

This Engraved Print measures about 24” x 19.5” (by sight), professionally framed to 28.5” x 24” and viewed through special UV Plexiglas. There is some rubbing to the extreme frame edges, which can be easily darkened. The print has a strong even strike, Small sections of the outer margin replaced on the right, slightly lifted on the left and at upper left corner. Expertly conserved and lined, professionally framed for display. Image shows the Warships “Serapis” and “Bon Homme Richard” fully engaged in their fierce naval battle.

Serapis is in the foreground at left; statistics of killed, wounded, and damage done, in English and French, on either side of the title in bottom margin. Original invoice purchase documentation from “The Philadelphia Print Shop” accompanies, placed on the reverse side of its frame. A rare engraved print, having very nice overall eye appeal, acquired by our consignor many years ago for $3,650 and is rarely encountered. This example is ready to hang on display.

See: Grolier: 5; Olds: 74. Not listed in the Cresswell book, but copies later located in Cresswell disertation. Trumpy, Beverly R. Robinson Collection Catalog Lot 197.

Provenance: Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II
Richard Paton, artist, and James Fittler and Daniel Lerpinire, engravers. Published London: by John Boydell, 1781

Engraving Title: “The Memorable Engagement of Captn. Pearson of the Serapis, with Paul Jones of the Bon Homme Richard & his Squadron, Sep. 23 1779.”

Per The American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati:

Far more Britons served in the Royal Navy than in the army, and naval affairs loomed large in the popular consciousness, feeding a large and steady market in Britain for printed portraits of naval officers, depictions of ships and scenes of war at sea. Reproductive prints of painted portraits of admirals and captains sold well, as did battle scenes, often based on paintings commissioned by victorious officers or their patrons.

This engraving of the savage night battle between HMS Serapis (at lower left), commanded by Richard Pearson, and Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, is one of the only wartime prints to depict a warship of the Continental Navy in action-and by far the finest.

The engravers, James Fittler and Daniel Lerpinire, based the print on a painting by Richard Paton, one of the most accomplished marine artists of the eighteenth century.

The image depicts the climactic phase in the Battle of Flamborough Head off the coast of Yorkshire, in which the two warships were grappled and Alliance, a frigate attached to Jones’ squadron, fired a broadside into the bow of Bonhomme Richard and the stern of Serapis, causing considerable damage to both vessels.

Although Pearson surrendered shortly thereafter, he was praised for saving the valuable fleet of merchant ships he was escorting from the Baltic, which is seen sailing to safety in the right distance.

The print was published and marketed by John Boydell, who was largely responsible for developing the print market in Britain. Boydell patronized talented engravers and marketed their work, while developing a brisk international trade in prints that freed artists and printmakers from the constraints of royal and aristocratic patronage.