The Old Print Shop

The Battle Prague - Favorite Sonate for the Piano Forte / G. Washington President of the United States.

  • ARTIST: Joseph Wright

  • PUBLISHER: Printed and Sold by Graupner, No. 6 Franklin St.

  • MEDIUM: Copper plate engraving

    DATE: Undated c.1805.

  • EDITION SIZE: Paper size, 13 x 9 1/2" (332 x 240 mm)

  • DESCRIPTION: The Battle Prague - Favorite Sonate for the Piano Forte, with accompaniments. Boston, Printed & Sold by Graupner, No. 6 Franklin St. Price 1 Doll. Eight pages of engraved music, with the title page engraved with embellishments with portrait of Washington in center, in oval, a medallion bust in uniform, head to left. The portrait is based on the drawing of Joseph Wright. The print and accompanying music sheets are considered to be quite rare. In an exhibition of “Washingtoniana” that held at Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania F.& A.M. Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, Nov. 5th to Dec. 5th 1902 It was described “Of the greatest rarity. Probably unique in this condition, as it contains the 8 pages of music. Mr. Baker had only seen one copy and that without the music.” As to the engraver of this piece Charles Henry Hart makes reference to a likely proof state without the titling for the music. “An old manuscript note, on a copy, states that it was engraved by S. Wetherbee. Some historians suggest the engraver to be Samuel Hill. This author feels that due to the primitive nature of the engraving it could be the work of John Norman who was active in Boston at the time. Gottlieb Graupner (1767–1836) Musician, composer, educator and publisher. Born in Germany and immigrated to the United States in circa 1795. First settled in Charleston, SC and later in Boston. In 1800 he and two other talented musicians opened a conservatory of music. He also co-founded the Philharmonic Society (ca.1810–1825) and the Handel and Haydn Society (est.1815). Between the years 1805 and 1825 it is noted that Graupner lived at 6 Franklin Street.

  • ADDITIONAL INFO: Bears stamp of John Ashton / Music Store / 197 / Washington St. / Boston.

  • CONDITION: Overall in good condition. Some light foxing an all sheets and occasional early paper repair in music sheets.

  • REFERENCE: Baker, W.S. "Engraved portraits of Washington" #82; Hart #153A