PUBLISHER: No publisher or artist noted.
MEDIUM: Stipple and line engraving,
DATE: undated, c.1805.
EDITION SIZE: Image size 13 1/2 x 18" (34.5 x 45.7 cm).
DESCRIPTION: J. Scoles, Sculpt. "Gen. Hamilton Departed this life July 12th, 1804. A very rare memorial. <BR><BR> The two female figures on either side of Hamilton’s monument are Liberty on the left and Columbia on the right. Liberty is holding a liberty pole, a staff with a Phrygian cap, which became a rallying point for the Sons of Liberty during the Revolutionary War. Columbia is seen holding the American Flag, the fifteen star, fifteen stripe flag authorized by the Flag Act of January 13, 1794. It was the only United States flag to have more than 13 stripes. The Flag Act of 1818 added five additional stars bringing the total to 20 and reduced the stripes to 13. <BR><BR> The monument reads “Gen. Hamilton Departed This Life July 12, 1804.” In front of the monument between the two figures is a globe, several books, a sword, and a small cannon labeled "Union" with a rolled up paper inside stating America. To the left of Columbia is a farmer, alongside her is the bounty of harvest in a cornucopia. To the right of Liberty is a scene with boats and a large town, likely New York City and harbor signifying commerce. <BR><BR> Alexander Hamilton was born out of wedlock in Charlestown, Nevis c.1757. He arrived in Boston in 1772. However, he quickly left for New York. In 1773 he entered King’s College today known as Columbia. At the time he was also an officer in a militia artillery unit called the Hearts of Oak. During the Revolutionary War, he served as a patriot pulling together the New York Provincial Company of Artillery, a unit of sixty men and cannon. His unit saw action at the Battle of White Plains, the Battle of Trenton, and the Battle of Princeton. The New York Provincial Company of Artillery is considered the ancestor of the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery the oldest active unit in the U.S. Army. He eventually would become George Washington’s Aide-de-camp. Finally, he was given a field commission in 1781 where his troops took Redoubt 10. The French troops took Redoubt 9. These actions at the Battle of Yorktown forced the British to surrender the army to General Washington. <BR><BR> Alexander Hamilton is regarded as an American statesman, a promoter of the United States Constitution, and the founder of the nation’s financial system. He served as the first Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington. In 1795 he returned to New York and practiced law. He served briefly as Commanding General under President Adams. In the electoral college in 1801 Hamilton sided with Thomas Jefferson defeating Aaron Burr. Vice President Aaron Burr ran for Governor of the state of New York. Hamilton campaigned against him. Burr taking offense, he challenged him to a duel which took place on July 11, 1804. Aaron Burr shot and mortally wounded Hamilton, who died the next day. <BR><BR> This is a memorial print, likely done soon after Hamilton’s death. It is very rare, there are two impressions located in the Library of Congress, one in the Museum of the City of New York. <BR><BR>
ADDITIONAL INFO: Framed to museum quality standards.
CONDITION: Good condition, save for an occasional fox mark. Printed in brown ink on chine colle.
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