Home > Back to Search Results >
Rare Paul Revere engraving... Benedict Arnold & the Battle of Quebec...
Rare Paul Revere engraving... Benedict Arnold & the Battle of Quebec...
Item # 723820
February 09, 1776
THE ESSEX JOURNAL & NEW HAMPSHIRE PACKET, Newburyport, Massachusetts, Feb. 9, 1776
* Paul Revere masthead engraving
* American Revolutionary War
* Great year to have (1776)
There were but a few masthead engravings of the 18th century which were created by Paul Revere. The "Massachusetts Spy" is perhaps the most famous, plus there is the engraving in the "Boston Gazette" as well, with these two newspapers being among the most common in a relative sense. But even these are quite rare.
Revere also created the masthead for the Essex Journal, very few examples of which are found on the market today.
In addition to the ornate engraving of the title, the left engraving shows a Native American and the right engraving shows a sailing ship.
With the scarcity of this title with the Revere engraving the content might seem inconsequential, however there is some nice war-related content as well.
Most of the last column of the front page is taken up with the: "Extract of a Letter from An Officer under Col. Arnold..." which has much war-related content from just prior to the Battle of Quebec, it carrying over to take over half of page 2.
Page 2 has a report from Charleston with war-related content, as well as another historic report on the Battle of Quebec beginning: "The last letters from Canada bring an account of an unsuccessful attempt made to gain possession of Quebec by storm on the 31st December..." with various particulars, taking over three-quarters of a column.
Most of page 3 is taken up with war content including much more fine content on the Battle of Quebec. Also a report from Williamsburg.
Nearly half of the back page is taken up with a great Resolve from Congress, dated January 2, 1776.
Complete in four pages, never bound nor trimmed, nice condition.
background: This February 9, 1776, issue of the Essex Journal & New Hampshire Packet is a premier artifact of the American Revolution, distinguished by its iconic masthead woodcuts engraved by Paul Revere. These medallion-shaped illustrations—a Native American with a bow and quiver on the left and a three-masted sailing ship on the right—are rare survivors of Revere’s early propaganda work and are enclosed in ornate Chippendale-style borders. Beyond its visual prestige, the paper captures a pivotal "low point" in the Patriot cause: the aftermath of the disastrous Battle of Quebec. The extensive front-page and internal reports detailing the wounding of Benedict Arnold and the death of General Montgomery provide a visceral, real-time account of the failed invasion of Canada. Coupled with a significant January 2nd resolve from the Continental Congress urging the colonies to treat "misguided" citizens with kindness while frustrating the "machinations" of enemies, this complete, untrimmed specimen serves as a vital bridge between Revere’s artistic legacy and the raw military history of the year of independence.
Category: Revolutionary War
Available Now
$2,995.00
