September 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/6/2023
A fine Portrait Miniature of Archibald Campbell, by the well known Scottish miniatures painter John Bogle, housed in a red leather case with silk lining in lid with hook-and-eye clasp. Archibald's half-profile portrait is protected under a convex glass dome, wreathed by pink gemstones (garnets?), with "IB / 1779" John Bogle signature just above Campbell's shoulder. Verso with a later but old inscription "Archie Campbell by John Bogle 1779". Campbell is particularly significant because he was the commander of the 71st Regiment of Foot, Frasers Highlanders, captured in 1776 after the battle at Boston Harbor, held closely confined as a prized prisoner of war by the Americans for 2 years until being exchanged for the famous Ethan Allan. A few months after his release, appointed by Henry Clinton, Campbell led an army of 3000 men to Georgia, winning the Battles of Savannah and Augusta Georgia, and briefly becoming Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. Several contemporaries wrote well of Campbell, noting that he was sound tactically and did not hold a grudge against the Americans. Having made his mark and wishing to retire from service, he returned to England in 1779 (when this miniature was painted), soon after marrying Amelia, the daughter of King George’s principal painter, Allan Ramsay. Pressed again into service by the king at that crucial time in the war, he was made Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica in early 1781. After the revolutionary war, he served as Governor of Madras, India. CONDITION: Very good with some minor spotting of the glass. Painting excellent. The perhaps later case has some age-related distress and fraying, but is solid with a small bite out of bottom lid at 6 o'clock. With paperwork from Saleroom describing this item, along with some genealogical history of Campbell. An interesting piece of revolutionary war history. PROVENANCE: Ex. Arthur Jaffe collection.