2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2024
1800, American Cotton Printed Textile with legend, "The Death of General Washington," After the Engraving by Amos Doolittle (1754-1832), Brown Print on Cloth Fabric, Philadelphia, by Pember & Luzarder, Framed, Choice Extremely Fine. An exceedingly rare, original circa 1800 Historic Printed Textile, measuring about 21" x 19", among the Finest Known examples existing. It was produced in Philadelphia, by Pember & Luzarder, shortly after George Washington's death in December 1799. This historical textile's design is listed as "No. 21" in the major reference book entitled, "Threads of History: Americana Recorded on Cloth 1775 to the Present" published by the Smithsonian Institution. This example is only the sixth that we know of having appeared for sale over the past several decades. We note two prior examples, one which was sold in the EAHA Auction of February 14, 2009, Lot 209, being printed in burgundy on off-white cotton, graded Choice Very Fine which sold for $12,980. This early American printed textile is designed After a historic Engraving by Amos Doolittle of New Haven, Connecticut. This current example is printed in dark brown on remarkably supple and clean off-white Cloth Fabric having just some modest scattered light natural tone. Overall, its condition is exceptional. It appears solid, fresh and is excellent for any textile of this type and era. This museum quality historic textile depicts General and First President George Washington in his deathbed. He is attended to by his Doctors Craik and Dick, as Martha Washington sits at the foot of his bed. Textile is headed, "The Death of General Washington" the text within the top block and reads, in full: "This most illustrious and much lamented Personage died on the 15th of Decr. 1799 in the 68th year of his Age, after a short illness of 30 hours in the full Possession of all his Fame, like a Chritian and an Hero, calm and collected, without a groan and without a sigh." A total of Six different ornate cartouche vignette designs surround the deathbed scene, each of which lavish praise of Washington. Unlike several others we have seen over the decades, this example is by far the best. There are some very minor expected light tone spots and a prior owner embroider the very small embroidered letters, "R - x - E" in the blank field above the main vignette, perhaps being the name of that owner. All of the text and the large central designs are quite bold and clear, with a whole and complete overall appearance for display. A museum quality historic early George Washington American textile.
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