December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
UNKNOWN AMERICAN ARTIST. "Master Commandant William Henry Allen, c. 1813." Watercolor on paper, within eglomise mat and papier mache frame; this is believed to be the origInal profile portrait of Allen, from which the posthumous stipple engraving by Edwin was made in late 1813 for the magazine "Portfolio." Allen (1784-1813) entered the U.S. Navy as a Midshipman in April 1800. While holding that rank, he served in the armed ship George Washington and the frigate Philadelphia. Allen was promoted to Lieutenant in February 1807 and assigned to the frigate Chesapeake, which was preparing for a Mediterranean Sea deployment. He distinguished himself by firing the only shot his ship was able to get off when she was overwhelmed by HMS Leopard in June 1807. During the early months of the War of 1812 Lieutenant Allen served in the frigate United States, taking part in the capture of HMS Macedonian in October 1812 and commanding the prize crew that brought the latter to New York. In 1813 Allen, who received the rank of Commander in July of that year, captained the brig Argus during a commerce-raiding cruise into the waters near the British Isles. On 14 August 1813 she fought a losing engagement with HMS Pelican in the English Channel. Mortally wounded in this action, Allen died four days later.