Jun 12 at 12:00 PM - Sale 2708 -
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Sale 2708 - Lot 172

Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000
PAUL REVERE. Masonic certificate engraved by Revere. Engraved certificate printed on vellum, 13½ x 10¼ inches, and completed in manuscript for Christopher Allen upon completing his third degree at Union Lodge in New London, CT, with signatures of 4 officers, and embossed seal attached by 11¾-inch ribbon; folds, mount remnants on verso, moderate wear to ribbon. Boston, engraved circa 1773 and 1796, and completed in 7 October 1817
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Additional Details

This certificate is illustrated with an angel blowing a trumpet, two statues on pillars, a woman with three small children, and other ornaments. At bottom is the clearly visible imprint: "Engraved Printed & Sold by Paul Revere Boston." Revere initially engraved this plate circa 1773, perhaps earlier. He seems to have offered copies at his shop, for sale to his fellow Masons. The original version was in regular use through at least 1779. In 1796, he made some changes to the original plate, most notably adding the line at top "And the darkness comprehended it not; in the East a place of light." He then sold the plate to Elias Perkins, junior warden of the Masonic lodge in New London, CT.

This certificate was likely issued to Christopher Allen (1755-1842) of New London, CT, who had rented the entirety of Fisher's Island off New London in 1793 (see Wayne Tillinghast, "The Tillinghasts in America," page 612).

Brigham records only 3 other known examples of this state of the certificate, all issued to New Haven Masons between 1799 and 1812. In 2022, Swann sold another one issued in 1815. The original plate was given to the National Gallery in 1943. See Brigham, Paul Revere's Engravings, pages 188 and 195-197 (plate 65).

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