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The Illustrated Inventory of Paul Revere's works
at the American Antiquarian Society
Revere Collection Box 2
Image(s): Location & Description:
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PDF | download imageBox 2 Folder 1
Landing of the Troops.
[ca. 1770]; sheet: (26 x 40.5 cm). plate: (not visible). Hand-colored in watercolor by Christian Remick(h) (b. 1726.) Link to record.
Brigham plate 24. Link to Brigham.
- Separately published print
- Chippendale style
- Historic event
- Scenic/street view
- Buildings and Structures
Engraved city view featuring Boston Harbor with thirteen large ships, two wharfs and innumerable buildings of varying sizes and heights. The foreground features the north part of Boston with eight numbered ships of war and numerous smaller vessels; the smaller crafts, tied to one another, are filled with soldiers in hats with red coats and guns. The ships are practically emptied and anchored; the masts and chords of the ships have numerous blue flags flying with blue and red crosses. On the horizon are masses of buildings, docked ships, Fanueil Hall, the Old State House, several church spires and cupolas and rolling hills in the distance. An inscribed ribbon at the top reads “A View of Part of the Town of Boston in New England and Brittish [sic] Ships of War: Landing Their Troops! 1768” Also featured and labeled are: A. Long Wharf, B. Hancock’s Wharf, and C. North Battery.
The left portion of the print has been mutilated and repaired with pen and ink. Hancock’s Wharf, which is jutting out into the harbor, features the most amount of action with troops forming lines and bearing flags as they march towards the interior of the city. The print is inscribed in the lower right in a cartouche-style bordered scene: “To the Earl of Hillsborough. His Majesty’s Secretary of State for America. This View of the only well Plan’d Expedition formed for supporting ye dignity of Britain & chasting ye insolence of America is humbly inscribed.” Surrounding this lower text is a Chippendale border with a bare-chested Native American standing on a British soldier with Roman numerals XXIX (presumably the Regiment) on his cap. A key for the eight ships appears in the lower left and reads: 1. Beaver 2. Senegal 3. Martin 4. Glasgow 5. Mermaid 6. Romney 7. Launceston 8. Bonetta; with the text “On Friday Sept 30 1768 the Ships of War, armed Schooners, Transports &c Came up the Harbor and Anchored round the town, their Cannon loaded a Spring on their Cables, as for a regular Siege. At noon on Saturday October the 1st the fourteenth & twenty-ninth Regiments a detachment from the 59th Regt and Train of artillery with two peices [sic] of Cannon, landed on the Long Wharf; there Formed and Marched with insolent Parade, Drums beating, Fifes playing and Colors flying up King Street Each Soldier having received 16 rounds of Powder and Ball. Beneath the text reads “Col’d [colored] by Chn [Christian] Remick” along the bottom reads “Engraved, Printed & Sold by Paul Revere. Boston.” Verso blank.
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PDF | download imageBox 2 Folder 2
A View of the Obelisk.
[1766]; sheet: (27 x 37 cm). plate: (not visible). Link to record.
Brigham plate 6. Link to Brigham.Four images side-by-side illustrating the four angles of a pillar-like structure which is tapered at the top and has a wide base beneath. In addition to a tapered triangular top, each side of the obelisk features four bust portraits of statesmen, a panel of text and an allegorical scene. The sixteen figures have been identified as Duke of York, Marquis of Rockingham, Queen Charlotte, King George III, General Conway, Colonel Barre, William Pitt, Lord Dartmouth, Alderman Beckford, Charles Townshend, Lord George Sackville, Mr. Dennis De Berdt, John Wilkes, and Lord Camden. The top of the print reads “A View of the Obelisk erected under Liberty-Tree in Boston the Rejoicings for the Repeal of the Stamp Act. 1766.” And is engraved beneath “To every Lover of Liberty, this Plate is humbly dedicated by her true born sons, in Boston New England. 1. American in distress apprehending the total loss of Liberty, 2. She implores the aid of her Patrons, 3. She endures the Conflict for a short Season 4. And has her liberty restor’d by the Royal hand of George the Third.” Image is signed in the lower right “Paul Revere Sculp”; copy has manuscript notes in the upper right and left.
The text in the first panel is a poem and reads “O thou whom next to Heaven most revere Fair Liberty! Thou lovely Goddess hear! Have we not woo’d thee, won thee held thee Lain in thy Lap, & melted on thy long Tongue Thro Deaths & Dangers rugged paths pursu’d And led thee smiling to this solitude Hid thee within our Hearts most golden Cell and brav’d the Powers of Earth & Powers of Hell Goddess! We cannot part, though must not fly, Be slaves! We dare to scorn it – dare to die.” The image beneath the text features a devil-creature descending from the skies carrying a copy of the Stamp Act. To the left is a bare-chested Native American and winged allegorical figure (either Britannia or Columbia) with a liberty cap. To the right are four figures – A Scotsman in highland dress, an Englishman, a man in monkish robes and a man pointing with snakes in his hair.
The second view of the obelisk features the poem “While clanking Chains & Curses shall salute Thine Ears remorseless G-le, thine O B-e To you blest Patriots! We our cause submit Illustrious [Camp Den] Britains Guardian Pitt. Reced not frown not, rather lett us be Depriv’d of being, than of Liberty Let fraud or malice blacken all our Crimes No disaffection stains these peaceful Chimes O save us, shield us from impending Woes Thebes of Britain, only are our Foes.” Beneath is an allegorical image of Fame with trumpet placing an olive wreath on King George III’s crown. Behind him are three other figures. Before him on bended knee is America pointing behind her at the four figures bound in chains. In the sky are darkened clouds and lightning bolts.
The third side of the obelisk features the text “Boastfoul oppression boast thy transient Reign While honest freedom struggles with her Chain But know the Songs of Virtue hardy, brave Disdain to lose thro mean Despair to save Arrouz’d in Thunder, awfull they appear With proud deliverance stalking in their Rear While Tyrant-Foes their pallid Fears betray Shrink from their Arms & gave their Vengeance See in th’ unequal War Oppressors fall The hate, Contempt and endless Curse of all.” A scene beneath features a tree perched on a hill. Atop the tree is a nest with five young birds. Attacking them is a vulture-like bird. From the right comes a winged allegorical figure with sword and shield, possibly Britannia.
The final side of the obelisk includes the text “Our Faith approv’d our Liberty restor’d Our Hearts bend grateful to our Sov’rgn Lord Hail darling Monarch by this act endear’d Our firm affections are thy best rewards Sh’d Britains self, against her self divide And hostile Armies frown on either Side Sh’d Hofts rebellious, Shake our Brunswicks Throne and as they dar’d thy Parent, dare the Son To this Asylum stretch thine happy Wing And we’ll content who best shall love our King.” Image beneath features three allegorical figures. Britannia in the center with a shield, America to her right holding a bow, arrows in her quiver. A third figure, Liberty is to the right, with a cap perched upon a pole. On verso: John F. Eliot’s 1842 Hanover Street. On verso: “Bequeathed to the American Antiquarian Society by Miss Mary L. Elliot in 1927” and correspondence information.
Box 2 Folder 3
[unsigned; William F. Straton].
The Boston Massacre [after Paul Revere].
1832; sheet: (38.5 x 31 cm). plate: (25.7 x 21.7 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 22. Link to Brigham.A nineteenth-century colored reproduction of Revere’s famous Boston Massacre scene (see Box 8). Engraver of facsimile print is unidentified but attributed by Clarence Brigham. Inclusion of line “Copy Right Secured” between the poem and the text at the bottom. The text at the top reads “The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street Boston on March 5th 1770 by a party of the 29th Regt.” Beneath the image is a poem (transcribed in Box 8) and last engraved line is the text “Boston, (Fac-Simile) Republished at 15 Water St. March 5, 1832.”
Scene features the American colonists to the left and the British regiment soldiers firing to the right. The soldiers, all wearing red coats have their left legs extended. Behind them is the British commander, Preston, with sword raised. Between the Regiment and Colonists is a thick cloud of smoke. There are approximately twenty-four colonists in various states of panic and casualty. Three on the ground, two shot in the head, and one in the chest. Two men help another wounded man away who has been shot in the chest. One man extends his arm towards the soldiers, one man looks away from the scene with a hand in his pocket, another figure has a cloak draped around his/her shoulders and arms folded, looking upwards. In the foreground is a spotted dog beside the boxed text “Engrav’d Printed & Sold by Paul Revere Boston.” In the background are several buildings including Butcher’s Hall. In the center is the State House with clock. To the left is a raised steeple and a chimney billowing smoke as well as a crescent moon in the upper-left corner. On verso: Purchase information, 1949; as well as "Boston Massacre 1832 copy probably a preprint form the pewter plate, made after 1832; CSB”
Box 2 Folder 4
View of the Colleges in Cambridge.
1767; sheet: (25.5 x 40.5 cm). plate: (Not visible). Link to record.
Brigham plate 9. Link to Brigham.A hand-colored, engraved view of the grounds and buildings of what is now Harvard University facing north. Key at bottom which identifies the buildings reads “A Harvard Hall, B Stoughton, C Massachusett, [sic] D Hollis, E Holden Chapel”. The print is signed “Josh. Chadwick del” and ”P Revere sculp”; the buildings are multi-level brick structures which cast shadows to the left. The chapel to the left has a large front door, columns and radius-top windows. Hollis and Harvard Hall are next to each other with a two-sided staircase, and cupola, weathervane and multiple chimneys protruding from the roof. The building furthest to the right is four stories with a central clock and a large, railed rooftop platform.
Between the buildings of the College are two trees; in front of the buildings is a low gate with three separate, brick entrances. Walking on the grounds are four figures, presumably tutors; the sky above is filled with clouds. In the foreground is a road with seven groups of people. At left, two men with whips atop horses are next to a four-horse-drawn carriage with driver and footman on the back platform. Two men atop horses point towards the college buildings and are accompanied by four dogs. A man on a horse gallops to the left of the scene followed by a man walking wearing a long coat and holding a book. At right a well-dressed man and woman lean towards each other linked arm in arm, and two men in long overcoats and breeches converse while holding canes. High-resolution scan available for order: 001195-0001. On verso: “Gift of Mrs. Henry E. Warner, June 9, 1950. Restored by Mrs. William Erlich of Boston, August 1952 CS Brigham. Gift of Francis Hart, 1928." Note: engraving is hand-colored with watercolor.
Box 2 Folder 5
[Masonic certificate for William Peirce].
1773; sheet: (37.5 x 27 cm). plate: (35.1 x 25.7 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 61. Link to Brigham.An engraved Masonic certificate with printed and manuscript texts. The certificate features an allegorical scene. Text reads “These do Certify that the Bearer hereof William Peirce Has been regularly initiated into the first degree of Masonry As such He has been received by Us And being a true & faithful Brother is hereby Recommended to the Favour of all Free and Accepted Masons wheresoever dispersed. Given under our Hands and Seal at Boston New England in St. Andrews Lodge Jany 4th A.D. 1779 of Masonry 5779.”
Allegorical figures include Faith and Hope on columned pedestals to the left and right – on a Masonic tracing board. Hope with an anchor and Faith with an open book; in the distance is a third vacant pedestal. Beneath is a cloaked Charity, nursing a baby while two other children are at her feet; one is reading an open book. Above the scene is an allegory of Fame – a winged, bare-breasted woman blowing a horn into the clouds. Beneath Charity are several Masonic symbols, an hourglass, skull and crossbones, compass, gavel, level and other emblems. Her arm is extended towards a placard listing the names, in manuscript, “Paul Revere - M” “Wm Hoskins S.W.” “Jon[athan] W. Eden JW” and “Jas Carter Secy”. The placard has flowers growing along it and is leaning against a stone base. In lower right, text reads “Engraved Printed & Sold by Paul Revere. Boston.” Manuscript notation in lower left reads “I have caus’d Said brother to affix his Firm in the Margin J.C. Secy” and along the left side William Peirce […]. Stone base in front, likely an Ashlar, bears the initials “MB”; in the upper left hand corner is a stamped seal. Allegorical scene is mirror opposite to one found in Box 1 Folder 5. Note: certificate is backed on linen. On verso: Purchase information, 1953.
Box 2 Folder 6
[Masonic certificate - blank].
[no date; plate engraved 1796]; sheet: (40 x 26.5 cm). plate: (not visible). No plate in Brigham.Blank re-strike of a Masonic certificate with engraved text surrounded by an allegorical scene which reads “And the Darkness comprehended it not; In the East a place of light These do Certify that the Bearer hereof Has been regularly initiated into the degree of Masonry. As such He has been received by Us. And being a true & faithfull Brother is hereby Recommended to the Favour of all Free and Accepted Masons wheresoever dispersed. Given under our Hands and Seal in Lodge.”
Allegorical scene features Faith and Hope on columned pedestals to the left and right on a Masonic tracing board – Hope with an anchor and Faith with an open book; in the distance is a third vacant pedestal. Beneath is a cloaked Charity, nursing a baby with two other children at her feet; one is reading an open book. Above the scene is an allegory of Fame – a winged, bare-breasted woman blowing a horn into the clouds with a long pole pointing down into the engraved text. To the left of her are a moon and stars, to the right a sun. Beneath the allegory of Charity are several Masonic symbols, an hourglass, skull and crossbones, compass, level, and tools. Her arm is extended towards a placard with blank space reserved for names. The placard is leaning against a stone base and is surrounded by floral pieces and flourishes. A cornerstone, or an Ashlar, in the foreground bears the initials “MB.” Certificate is signed in the lower right “Engraved Printed & Sold by Paul Revere. Boston.” See also Box 2 Folder 7. On verso: “Re-strike presumably by RB Jacobs in 1921. Recent impression from Revere [Obelisk?] Plate gift CE Goodspeed.”
Box 2 Folder 7
[Masonic certificate for Daniel Huntington the 3rd].
1796; sheet: (43.5 x 28 cm). plate: (34.7 x 25.2 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 65. Link to Brigham.An inscribed copy of the Masonic certificate found in Box 2 Folder 6. Engraved and manuscript text reads “And the Darkness comprehended it not; In the East a place of light These do Certify that the Bearer here of Daniel Huntington 3d Has been regularly initiated into the Master degree of Masonry As such He has been received by Us and being a true and faithfull [sic] Brother is hereby Recommended to the Favour of all Free and Accepted Masons wheresoever dispersed Throughout the Globe Given under our Hands and Seal in Lodge.
Allegorical scene features Faith and Hope on columned pedestals to the left and right – Hope with an anchor and Faith with an open book; in the distance is a third vacant pedestal. Beneath is a cloaked Charity, nursing a baby while two other children hover at her feet; one is reading an open book. Above the scene is an allegory of Fame – a winged, bare-breasted woman blowing a horn into the clouds with a long pole pointing down into the engraved text. To the left of her is a moon and stars, to the right a sun. Beneath the allegory of Charity are several Masonic symbols, an hourglass, skull and crossbones, compass and tools. Her arm is extended towards a placard with the names Joseph Huntington M[aster], Jabez R. Packard SW[Senior Warden] and Be[n]jamin Collier, S[ecretary]. The placard is leaning against a stone base and is surrounded by floral pieces and flourishes. A cornerstone in the foreground bears the initials “MB.” Certificate is signed in the lower right “Engraved Printed & Sold by Paul Revere. Boston.” On verso: Purchase information, 1928. See also Box 2 Folder 6.
This site last updated: March 2011
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