The patriotic American farmer J-n D-k-ns-n Esqr. Barrister at law.

Format:

Image

Contributor:

Norman, John, 1748?-1817, engraver.

Miscellaneous Print Collection (University of Pennsylvania)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Dickinson, John, 1732-1808.

Dickinson, John.

Law offices--1760-1800.

Genre:

Portrait prints -- 1770-1780 -- Reproductions -- 1870-1880.

Engravings -- 1870-1880.

Penn Provenance:

Elmer, Matthew K. (donor) (Kislak Center copy)

Physical Description:

1 print : zinc engraving ; 24.4 x 18.4 cm (sheet), 35.6 x 27 cm (mount)

Place of Publication:

[between 1870 and 1880]

Summary:

John Dickinson, half-length portrait, standing, facing slightly right, right elbow resting on "Magna Charta" and in his hand he holds "Letters from a Farmer to the inhabitants of the British Colonies", in his law office with bookshelves in the background; in oval frame with ribbon at top.

Notes:

No known restrictions on publication.

Title from item.

Caption continues: Who with Attic eloquence and Roman spirit hath asserted the liberties of the British colonies in America.

With verse: 'Tis nobly done, to stem taxations rage, / and raise the thoughts of a degen'rate age, / for happiness and joy, from freedom spring, / but life in bondage, is a worthless thing.

Printed for & c sold by R. Bell, Bookseller.

Reproduction after 1772 illustration published in "An Astronomical diary, or, An almanack ..." by Nathaniel Ames, Boston, Mass.

Local Notes:

Exhibited: "Magna Carta : Muse and Mentor" at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., Nov. 2014 - Jan. 2015.

Kislak Center copy has printed note attached to verso: This portrait was engraved by Jno. Norman about 1768, and it is the first Original American Portrait. Only two other copies are known, and one of those is in the Philadelphia Library. It was rudely reproduced in Ames' Almanac, Boston, 1772. Size of oval, 5 13/16 x 4 6/16. Size of sheet, 10 4/16 x 7 4/16. See reduced facsimile.

Kislak Center copy formerly laid in a volume of 10 dissertations for the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the University of Pennsylvania for the year 1801 (University of Pennsylvania, Kislak Center for Special Collections - Rare Book Collection RC916 .J315 1801).

Kislak Center copy presented to the Penn Libraries by Dr. Matthew K. Elmer.

OCLC:

51129394