Art Art Prints Antique (Pre-1900) For Sale

Offered is an early engraved portrait of George Washington engraved by J. Holloway after the celebrated 1795 Gilbert Stuart portrait known as the Vaughan Portrait.

The print is titled:

"GEORGE WASHINGTON"

and bears the engraved inscription:

"Engraved by J. Holloway from a Picture painted by Mr. Stuart in 1795, in the possession of Samuel Vaughan Esq."

This portrait derives from Gilbert Stuart's famous Vaughan likeness of Washington, considered by many historians to be among the finest portraits painted from life of America's first President.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Intaglio copperplate engraving
• Printed on handmade rag paper
• Visible paper structure consistent with period handmade paper
• Raised engraved ink and tactile cross-hatching visible and detectable by touch
• Strong, crisp engraved detail throughout the portrait
• Extensive period-style line engraving and stipple work
• Unframed sheet included
• Please review all photographs carefully as they form part of the description

PROVENANCE AND RESEARCH NOTES

The verso contains several generations of handwritten collector and research notes, including references to early Washington portrait scholarship.

Among the notes present are references substantially as follows:

"The finest engraving of Stuart's first portrait of Washington, known from its ownership as the Vaughan Portrait."

"It is generally conceded that of all the portraits of Washington this is probably the best likeness."

Reference is made to:

"The Engraved Portraits of Washington" (1880)
by M. S. Baker
Pages 112–113

Additional notes state:

"Formerly the property of Mr. Edward Warren, late of Chestnut St., Boston, Mass., who was Curator of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Mass. Bought from his widow."

Signed:

"Frances Ann Frye Stokes"
"16th December 1910"

Prospective buyers should examine all photographs and make their own determination regarding the provenance notes and historical references.

GOODSPEED'S BOOK SHOP LABEL

The backing also bears a label from:

Goodspeed's Book Shop, Inc.
7 Ashburton Place
Boston, Massachusetts

Goodspeed's was one of America's most respected antiquarian book and print dealers and was widely known for handling rare books, manuscripts, historical prints, Americana, Revolutionary War material, and presidential memorabilia. The firm's association adds an interesting historical layer to the ownership history of this print.

CONDITION

The print displays age-consistent toning, handling wear, margin wear, old folds, and other signs of age expected from an early engraving. Handwritten provenance notes are present on the verso. Please inspect all photographs carefully for condition details.

IMPORTANT

I am not representing this engraving as having been authenticated by a museum, third-party grading service, or professional print conservator. All statements are offered for informational purposes based upon the inscriptions, collector notes, and research associated with the piece.

Sold as shown.

A wonderful opportunity to acquire an early engraved image of George Washington with documented historical collector interest, period provenance notes, and a connection to Boston's famed Goodspeed's Book Shop.