(1868) “A View of Part of the Town of Boston in New England and British Ships of War Landing Their Troops 1768” the (1868) 100th Anniversary of the Event Hand-Colored Engraved in Facsimile by Alfred L. Sewell, After Paul Revere’s original Engraving, Period Style Framed, Choice Near Mint.
This (1868) Event “One Hundred Years Ago,” this rare Hand-Engraved and Colored Facsimile Print is a rendering of Paul Revere's famous original engraved print titled, “A View of Part of the Town of Boston in New England and British Ships of War Landing Their Troops 1768.” This is an exacting, correctly sized, 11.5” x 17.5” re-engraved copy was issued by the noted engraver Alfred L. Sewell in 1868. Sewell then quite famous as he was the “Publisher of The Little Corporal.” This impressive virtually mint condition engraving by Sewell was created to commemorate the 100th Anniversary Centennial of that historic event. This 1868 engraved version was a limited printing by the Western Bank Note and Engraving Company of Chicago for the artist. A highly collectable example in exacting Hand-colored detail that is currently in great demand.

This engraving shows Boston Harbor (Mass.), Long Wharf (Boston, Mass.) and the British Troops landing from various ships. Compared to Paul Revere’s original print, it only lacks the “hanging” scene in the left end. The “hanging” scene may have been omitted because the artist Sewell published children’s books and magazines, and this print may have been considered intended his engraving to teach a young audience. Currently housed in a period decorative gold painted wood frame measuring fully 12.75” x 18.5” and the engraving viewed through special protective museum UV Plexiglas, all which nicely compliments this historical print. An inscription on the reverse states that this current example was purchased at Goodspeed’s Bookstore in Boston in 1945. Aside from a few trivial faint spots, this “View of Part of the Town of Boston in New England and British Ships of War Landing Their Troops 1768” is in virtual mint condition.

This 1868 exacting version was recreated as the Original Copper-Plate engraved by Paul Revere, Jr. was no longer possible to strike reprints from. Revere used the opposite side of the original Boston Massacre plate five years later during the start of the American Revolutionary War. On the other side he engraved and printed a Sheet of Massachusetts currency notes, commonly known as the “Sword in Hand” issue of December 7, 1775. To properly size the Copper-Plate to better accommodate the printing of notes, he physically cut off short sections of the copper along the left and bottom edges, destroying a portion of the original engraving still located on the opposite side! The original engraved plate by Revere is housed in the Massachusetts Sate Archive office. See: Brigham, Paul Revere’s Engravings, 1969, pages 79-85.

Provenance Ex: Goodspeed’s Bookstore, Boston, 1945; Collection of Ambassador J. William Middendorf II; to our current consignor.
A facsimile (from Latin fac simile, "to make alike") is a copy or reproduction of an old book, manuscript, map, engraved print, or other item of historical value that is as true to the original source as possible. It differs from other forms of reproduction by attempting to replicate the source as accurately as possible in scale, color, condition, and other material qualities.
Paul Revere, American Revolution, Alfred L. Sewell, British Troops, Boston, 1768, Western Bank Note, Ambassador J. William Middendorf II