ARTIST: Charles Hall
PUBLISHER: Published by George D. Smith, NY
MEDIUM: Engraving
DATE: 1905
EDITION SIZE: Plate size 8 3/4 x 6" (22 x 15.3 cm)
DESCRIPTION: Set of three working proofs.<br><br> A full figure portrait of George Washington, left hand holding some sort of presentation rod with a floral ribbon and medallion portrait of Lafayette. With his right hand he is gesturing to the portrait.<br><br> The tree engravings consist of the following:<br><br> 1. Titled version. <br> 2. Scratch letter proof.<br> 3. Untitled proof. Signed in pencil "Charles B. Hall".<br><br> George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette were very close friends.<br><br> Letter from George Washington to the Marquis de Lafayette February 01, 1784.<br><br> "At length my Dear Marquis I am become a private citizen on the banks of the Potomac, & under the shadow of my own Vine & my own Fig tree, free from the bustle of a camp & the busy scenes of public life...I am not only retired from all public employments, but I am retireing within myself; & shall be able to view the solitary walk, & tread the paths of private life with heartfelt satisfaction—Envious of none, I am determined to be pleased with all. & this my dear friend, being the order for my march, I will move gently down the stream of life, until I sleep with my Fathers."<br><br> Charles Bryan Hall Jr. (1840–1913) son of the engraver Henry Bryan Hall (1808–1884). He followed in his fathers’ footsteps working in the family firm, H.B. Hall & Sons. The firm flourished, engraving and publishing portraits of celebrities from both the American Colonial and Revolutionary period.<br><br>
ADDITIONAL INFO:
CONDITION: All in good to very good condition.
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