(NAVY) Untitled engraving of frigates flying early American

Sale 2253 - Lot 221

Price Realized: $ 210

?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price

Estimate: $ 300 - $ 400

(NAVY.) Untitled engraving of frigates flying early American flags. Engraving, 6 x 9 1/2 inches, moderate foxing, vertical crease in image. Philadelphia, 1785 (but a later impression, on wove paper)

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Additional Details

A total of six American flags and ensigns can be distinguished, flying from three of the vessels. Although the engraving is crude, each one bears exactly thirteen stars, in a variety of patterns. This curious image has no caption, only an imprint line reading "Philadelphia. Printed in the Year of our Lord 1785. Pr", with "Pr" presumed to be the engraver. It is illustrated and discussed in Preble's History of the Flag of the United States of America, page 346.