Prints
Rare 1856 Print Of "The Boston Massacre"
1856, Hand-colored Print, "Boston Massacre, March 5th 1770," Drawn by W. Champney, Published by Henry Q. Smith, Near Mint.
This lively print of the Boston Massacre, measuring 22" x 28," drawn by William L. Champney, lithographed by J. H. Bufford in Boston, and published by Henry Q. Smith, also of Boston, is quite different from the well known scene engraved by Paul Revere and reproduced by countless others. In this depiction, the focus is on Crispus Attucks, the Black man who was the first to be killed that day, and is regarded as the first casualty of the Revolutionary War. Here he appears, club in hand, holding the barrel of a British soldier's musket, apparently already mortally wounded. Behind him smoke erupts from the muskets of a line of British soldiers, who are firing into a crowd of club wielding citizens. This print is part of a series of Revolutionary War scenes drawn by Champney in the 1850's. This print, which figures Crispus Attucks so prominently, might have been produced for the Abolitionist Movement. Done mostly in red, black and gray, the colors are bright and the print is undamaged and without foxing. This print is currently housed under glass in a wooden frame and has not been examined outside the frame. This is the first example we have offered of this rare print, which a Boston gallery is currently offering, in lesser condition, at $6,000.
Rare 1856 Print Of "The Boston Massacre"
1856, Hand-colored Print, "Boston Massacre, March 5th 1770," Drawn by W. Champney, Published by Henry Q. Smith, Near Mint.
This lively print of the Boston Massacre, measuring 22" x 28," drawn by William L. Champney, lithographed by J. H. Bufford in Boston, and published by Henry Q. Smith, also of Boston, is quite different from the well known scene engraved by Paul Revere and reproduced by countless others. In this depiction, the focus is on Crispus Attucks, the Black man who was the first to be killed that day, and is regarded as the first casualty of the Revolutionary War. Here he appears, club in hand, holding the barrel of a British soldier's musket, apparently already mortally wounded. Behind him smoke erupts from the muskets of a line of British soldiers, who are firing into a crowd of club wielding citizens. This print is part of a series of Revolutionary War scenes drawn by Champney in the 1850's. This print, which figures Crispus Attucks so prominently, might have been produced for the Abolitionist Movement. Done mostly in red, black and gray, the colors are bright and the print is undamaged and without foxing. This print is currently housed under glass in a wooden frame and has not been examined outside the frame. This is the first example we have offered of this rare print, which a Boston gallery is currently offering, in lesser condition, at $6,000.
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Auction details
Autographs-Coins-Currency-Americana
9:00 AM PT - Feb 17th, 2008
offered by
Early American
P.O. Box 3507
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
