Lot Essay
Paul REVERE (1735-1818) after, Jonathan MULLIKEN (1746-1782), engraver. The Bloody Massacre Perpetrated in King Street, Boston on March 5th, 1770, by a Part of the 29th Reg't. Newburyport, c. 1770
Possibly the first printing of Revere's Massacre outside of Boston. Jonathan Mulliken (1746-1782), a Newburyport, Massachusetts clockmaker, issued this close copy of Revere's engraving with only minor differences—most notably the omission of one column in the clock tower and a slight alternation of the text, substituting "the 29th Regt." with "ye 29th Regt." Just as Revere failed to credit Henry Pelham's original, Mulliken omits Revere's name in this copy produced to meet the demand for this powerful image. (One is left to speculate whether Revere appreciated the irony.)
Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 5/8 x 9 1/4 in (295 x 247mm). (Light soiling, several marginal chips tears not affecting image, light glue remnants to verso). Hinged with tissue to a mat and framed.
Possibly the first printing of Revere's Massacre outside of Boston. Jonathan Mulliken (1746-1782), a Newburyport, Massachusetts clockmaker, issued this close copy of Revere's engraving with only minor differences—most notably the omission of one column in the clock tower and a slight alternation of the text, substituting "the 29th Regt." with "ye 29th Regt." Just as Revere failed to credit Henry Pelham's original, Mulliken omits Revere's name in this copy produced to meet the demand for this powerful image. (One is left to speculate whether Revere appreciated the irony.)
Hand-colored engraving on laid paper, 5/8 x 9 1/4 in (295 x 247mm). (Light soiling, several marginal chips tears not affecting image, light glue remnants to verso). Hinged with tissue to a mat and framed.