AFTER THOMAS BIRCH. "PERRY’S VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE."

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024

Painted by T. Birch. Engraved by A. Lawson. Printed by [blank]. Pub. By Wm. Smith, Print Seller, 702 South 3rd. St. Phila. [not dated, but probably 1814]. Hand-colored, line engraving, 20 ¼ x 27 inches (platemark), 23 ½ x 29 ½ inches (view); within carved frame. Unusual from all other contemporary prints of naval battles during the War of 1812 (which typically featured ship-to-ship actions from a distance), this fine and rare engraving after Birch’s original painting instead shows a closeup vignette of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry at the turning point of the battle of Lake Erie, when he had himself rowed in a small launch from the battered hulk of his flagship Lawrence to the brig Niagara, where he again hoisted his battle flag and resumed the action until victory was achieved by the American squadron over that of the British. The original “DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIP” flag is now in the collections of the US Naval Academy Museum at Annapolis. Olds 247. Scarce.