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DEATH OF MAJOR JOHN ANDRÉ Scarce Original 1783 REVOLUTIONARY WAR SPY Engraving
$750.00
Guaranteed Authentic
Scarce original circa 1783 historical etching and engraving depicting the execution of infamous British Spymaster Major John André from "Barnard's New, Comprehensive and Complete History of England" ca. 1781 - 1783.
The engraving is entitled in full: "The Unfortunate Death of Major André (Adjutant General to the English Army) at Head Quarters in New York, Octr. 2, 1780, who was found within the American Lines in the character of a Spy." After artist William Hamilton (1751-1801) and probably by engraver John Goldar (1729-1795). On laid paper. Printed "Hamilton delin." at lower left, and "Goldar Sculp." at lower right, above the title/caption. With lovely decorative elements in the trompe l'oeil borders surrounding the image.
Major André's execution has been sympathetically described by contemporaries, who noted his fearlessness and calm on the gallows. The artist took minor license with some historical details: Major André's hands were bound with a handkerchief, not loose at his sides; and another handkerchief concealed just his eyes, not his entire face.
When Major John André, the head of British military intelligence, was arrested at Tarrytown, New York, dressed as a civilian and carrying the plans for West Point in his stocking, George Washington ordered an investigation. André, it was revealed, had persuaded General Benedict Arnold to betray the fort to the British. When an American offer to exchange their prisoner for Arnold was refused, a trial determined that because André had not worn military uniform in American territory, he should be condemned as a spy. Over the objections of Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette, André was hanged by Continental forces on October 2, 1780.
Similar copies of this historic engraving reside in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Library of Congress and the Colonial Williamsburg collection, and online via Wikipedia.
Expected wear including isolated edge darkening, a few marginal wrinkles, foxing, toning and minor to moderate soiling to the bottom margin, uneven trimming to right margin, some pinholes to the very top of the page. Else very good. Please review images carefully for exact condition. Engraving measures appx. 9.5" x 15.25".
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