(GEORGE WASHINGTON) Sic Transit Gloria Mundi

Sale 2546 - Lot 236

Unsold

Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500

(GEORGE WASHINGTON.) Sic Transit Gloria Mundi! Engraving on cotton, 24 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches; slightly cropped on top and bottom edges with loss of "In memory of," minor wear including 1/2-inch hole in lower left corner, minor foxing and toning. Glasgow: C. Gray, 1819

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Washington stands upon a pedestal reading "Sacred to Patriotism" in front of the Bowling Green park in Manhattan, where a statue of King George was famously toppled in 1776. He is flanked by two monuments to liberty and independence dedicated to the soldiers and sailors of the Revolution; they bear a resemblance to the later Washington Monument in the capitol. The source image for this design was a 1798 engraving by Tiebout after Charles Buxton, which in turn used a Gilbert Stuart portrait. This rendition adds a long tribute to Washington above, noting that "he was first in peace, first in the hearts of the Americans." The eagle bears a ribbon reading "This plate is with due respect inscribed to the Congress of the United States," with 19 state banners hung below--the first 20 states minus Louisiana. Illinois, admitted as the 21st state in 1818, is also omitted. Collins, Threads of History 54; Hart 676n.