March 5, 1806-Dated Important Amos Doolittle (1754-1832), Historical Religious Large Engraving titled: “An Epitome of Ecclesiastical History.” by author David J. Rowland, Late Minister of the Church in Windsor, Connecticut, this Pictorial “Timeline” was Engraved by Amos Doolittle, and published by William E. & Henry A. Rowland, Choice Very Fine.
Amos Doolittle (May 8, 1754 - February 2, 1832) was an early American Engraver, Artist and Silversmith, also known as "The Paul Revere of Connecticut." This large Engraving by Amos Doolittle is exceedingly rare and one of the very finest examples of this historic and earliest American “Timeline” large Engravings. It is fully titled, “An Epitome of Ecclesiastical History, By David Rowland - Late Minister of the First Church in Windsor Connecticut.” This impressive engraving measuring 28” x 39”, full and complete, with all four wide margins with its outer edge selvage is fully intact having never been trimmed. The engraved portions are accomplished by the historic early American Engraver and Artist Amos Doolittle of New Haven, Connecticut. The engraving is dated March 5, 1806 and is widely considered to be the earliest American “Timeline” Design Broadside Type American Engraving.

This engravings theme provides a “Naturalistic Metaphor” for human chronology, as presented in an engraved “Stream” metaphor, where Time and Events are shown Flowing from top to the bottom. The Middle Ages are shown as the "dark shades of error" as the truths of Christianity became obscured. Lots of engraved historical text is presented, including the key events and descriptions of the various Christian Sects.

This large highly important 1806 American Religious theme broadside style engraving is very large being printed in black on two attached sheets of quality heavy period paper. There is some slight outer edge conservation and at the lower right corner, well away from any text. It is clean, uniformly even in light tone and has sharp print quality. Overall, in remarkably nice condition given its unusual very large display size.

Presented in eight columns is a chronology of theological history, from 4004 BC: “Creation of the World” to the year 1786 “Federal Constitution.” In its vertical center is an Illustrated Metaphorical Tree, the top illustrated with “Adam and Eve in the Garden,” below an illustration of the Temple: “He shall come into his Temple, The Church - the Garden of God.” The columns include: “Events before Christ, Prophetic Periods, Roman Emperors, Sectaries, Events (includes the Declaration of Independence), Councils, Witnesses, and Summary Sectaries.

This impression of Amos Doolittle's large artwork was separately published as a historical Broadside. Amos Doolittle was a prolific engraver producing portraits, bible illustrations, bookplates and caricatures, its separately published chart provides a record of sacred history, from Adam and Eve to the year 1800. Such time lines were a popular form of religious art in earlier periods of American history, and Doolittle's large Broadside is a wonderful example.

Flooded with a wealth of detail provided by the Minister David Rowland, including historical notes that list the settling of the various Colonies, American Independence, the Federal Constitution, etc. This historic Broadside sheet prophesies that in 1800 Americans entered a period in which Satan would be bound for "1000 years" and the Church would be in a "happy state".

This example is rare, and its full margins and the plate impression is retained within the paper and the inking is sharp and clear with an even pleasing appearance. There are no major detractions and it remains remarkably free from any tone spots, age or other detractions, making it superb for proper framing and display. Exceedingly rare, specially in this superior quality.

From Heritage: Amos Doolittle: 1806 Engraved Ecclesiastical History Broadside. Titled, "An Epitome of Ecclesiastical History, By David Rowland - Late Minister of the First Church in Windsor Connecticut." This broadside measures 28" x 39", being full and complete with all four margins present. The engraved portions by the historic early American engraver/artist Amos Doolittle are dated 1806. It is considered the earliest American "timeline" type engraved broadside.

It provides a "Naturalistic Metaphor" for human chronology presented in a "stream" metaphor, where time and events are shown flowing toward the bottom. Middle Ages show the "dark shades of error" as the truths of Christianity became obscured. There is much engraved historical text presented, including key events and descriptions of various Christian Sects.

This large, highly important early American religious theme engraving is printed upon two attached sheets of quality thick paper. Presented in eight columns is a chronology of theological history, from 4004 BC: "Creation of the World" to the year 1786 "Federal Constitution." In its vertical center is an Illustrated Metaphorical Tree, the top illustrated with "Adam and Eve in the Garden," below an illustration of the Temple: "He shall come into his Temple, The Church - the Garden of God."

The columns include: "Events before Christ, Prophetic Periods, Roman Emperors, Sectaries, Events (includes the Declaration of Independence), Councils, Witnesses, and Summary Sectaries. Flooded with a wealth of detail provided by the Minister David Rowland, including historical notes that list the settling of the various Colonies, American Independence, the Federal Constitution, etc. This historic Broadside sheet prophesies that in 1800 Americans entered a period in which Satan would be bound for "1000 years" and the Church would be in a "happy state".

There is some minor outer edge and lower right corner conservation well away from any text, uniform clean even tone and sharp print quality, overall surprising good condition given its unusual extremely large size. The plate impression is retained within the paper, and the inking is sharp and clear with an even pleasing appearance. There are no major detractions and it remains free from any spots, age or other detractions. A superb impression for framing and display. See: Donald C. O'Brien's, “Amos Doolittle: Engraver of the New Republic” (Oak Knoll, November 2007). Stauffer, American Engravers on Copper and Steel pages 66-67. Cartography’s of Time, page 148.


Amos Doolittle (May 8, 1754 - February 2, 1832) was an American Engraver and Silversmith, also known as "The Paul Revere of Connecticut."

A self-taught artist from Cheshire, CT., Doolittle became an expert in Copper Plate engraving and specialized in scenes of the American Revolutionary War. In 1775 Doolittle enlisted in the New Haven Company of the Governor's Guards. Amos Doolittle was also Member of the Governor's Second Company of Guards under Capt. Benedict Arnold. His famous historic Four Engraving Set depicting the April 19th, 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord, which were based on his first-hand reconnaissance of the Battlefield.

Doolittle was sought out by many early Americans eager to learn the art of engraving, including James Wilson and Ralph Earl. The success of his first prints marked the beginning of Doolittle's artistic career. Doolittle established a shop in New Haven, Connecticut, on the present-day site of Yale University's Old Campus, from where he created portraits, maps, and bookplates. Doolittle died on January 30, 1832 and is buried in the Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven.