Indian Peace Medals
"RED JACKET. Seneca War Chief." Wearing His George Washington Engraved Silver Indian Peace Medal, by Biddle
1834 Issued First Edition, Engraved Hand-Colored Lithograph of "RED JACKET - SENECA WAR CHIEF." by E.C. Biddle, Portrait after Charles Bird King, published in Philadelphia, measuring 15.25" x 13.25" (by sight), Framed, Fine.
An original Hand-colored Print, large size measuring about 15.5" tall x 13.25" wide (by sight), and is housed in its apparent period gold-gilt wooden frame with its wood board backing intact, some wear to the gilt and frame, measuring fully to 19.25" x 17.25". Printed on wove period paper that is even in tone having sone scattered spots in the fields (not inspected out of its frame). This large folio Print of the famous Seneca Indian Chief "Red Jacket" wearing his large size Silver Oval 1792 George Washington Indian Peace Medal. The Silver Peace Medal was hand-engraved by the noted silversmith Joseph Richardson of Philadelphia. This Print was Published by E.C. Biddle of Philadelphia, from the original painting by C.B. King. Text at bottom reads: "Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1834 by E. C. Biddle in the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania."
Red Jacket was the very important Seneca Indian Chief who received the imaged 1792 Peace Medal from George Washington. His Peace Medal is one of the extremely rare Large Oval Silver versions that were specially produced, being hand-engraved in Silver by silversmith Joseph Richardson of Philadelphia for the government, having his personal silversmith's Hallmark punch. This exact medal still exists today. Its image was used to illustrate both the Belden and Prucha reference works. Here, Chief Red Jacket is portrayed in a blue jacket with gold buttons, wearing a white shirt and a red scarf. The large Silver Peace Medal is held by a blue ribbon through its top ring. This historic print would make an important addition to any period collection, or specialized of Indian Peace Medals as it illustrates one of the most famous recipients. EAHA sold one of these prints for $3,450 in our December 11, 1999 auction and another in our EAHA Auction of December 8, 2001 Lot 566 which sold for $3,300 in choice quality.
This very medal is one of the few large size Silver Indian Peace Medals with uninterrupted pedigree. Although proud of his Peace Medal, it is said that Red Jacket pawned it off once, while he was drunk. A benefactor recognized the medal and its importance, redeemed the medal and returned it to Red Jacket.