England's Plan for Post-Revolutionary America

PrintsEngland's "Plan" for Post-American Revolutionary War

c. 1780 Revolutionary War Era, Hand-colored, Political & Allegorical Copper-plate Print, "Regarding the State of the English Nation," Choice Extremely Fine.
This is a high quality and beautifully hand-colored French version of the famous original English print, measuring 11" x 14" and has been matted to an overall size of 14" x 19.25". Displayed within this engraving are five men, each from a different country, meeting together in Philadelphia. The men included are from: American, England, Holland, Spain and France, each being labeled accordingly. The main icon in the print is the symbolic Cow, and that the men are taking the milk and horns from it. It is labeled as the English trade that the other countrymen eagerly await. The British Lion sleeps in the corner, while a dog walks on his sleeping body and relieves himself on the Lion! This allegorical print represents what might be occurring after the American Revolution puts England in control of the Trade industry, because they are supplying all the other countries with their essential and necessary manufactured goods. It signifies Britain's stance in the world, a sleeping lion awaiting his turn to seek war once again. The title of this print was assigned by Fowble in his selective checklist of the holdings of the Winterthur Museum. It is also known as, "Regarding the State of the English Nation". This print was reproduced a number of times around 1780 after it first appeared with the title, "A Picturesque View of the State of the Nation for February 1778". This outstanding copperplate engraving has been hand-colored and includes the caption in French which reads: "MAL LUI VEUT MAL LUI TOUNE DIT LE BON HOMME RICHARD - SUJET MEMORABLE DES REVOLUTIONS DE L'UNIVERS". Other known versions do not typically have: "Le Commerce de la Grande Bretagne suos la Forme d'une Vache: Le Congres representes par l'Ameriquain occupe a lui enlever ses Armes deffensive en lui Sciant les Cornes. Le Hollandois dith Air content, s'occupe a tirer la Vache. Un Francois s'avance avec politesse pour avoir du lait. l'Espagnol d'un Air grave se presente aussi pour le meme object..." The text on the bottom of the print has been cut and pasted on, and it remains in quite wonderful high quality.