American Revolution
"FRANKLIN'S RECEPTION AT THE COURT OF FRANCE, 1778" Engraved Print by W.O. Geller of London
(BENJAMIN FRANKLIN) (1853), Huge Elephant folio Engraved Print titled, "FRANKLIN'S RECEPTION AT THE COURT OF FRANCE, 1778", Engraved by W.O. Geller of London After Baron Jolly of Brussels, copyright by William Jay, Charles Hardenberg and William H. Emerson, (Philadelphia), Backed, Very Fine.
This massive oversized "Elephant folio" Engraved Print measures about 42" x 31.5" (Platemark: 41 3/8 x 29 in), plus margins. It shows the newly arrived American minister to France, Benjamin Franklin, in simple Quaker dress, within the midst of sixteen members of the French Royal Court. Diane, Countess de Polignac, places a laurel wreath atop Franklin's head. Included in the image are: King Louis XVI (1774-1793), Marie Antoinette, the Comte de Vergennes (a signatory with Franklin of the crucial Treaty of Alliance), Duchesse Jules de Polignac, Princesse Lamballe, and Mme. Campan (an identifying key has accompanied identical prints but is not present here). The occasion depicted is the court celebration of the signing of the long-awaited historic Treaty of Alliance and Commerce, signed February 16, 1778, which authorized overt French assistance to the beleaguered American colonies in their War of Independence against Britain. Copyright by William Jay, Charles Hardenberg and William H. Emerson, (Philadelphia), (1853). This Engraved Print was laid down long ago with a surround of fiber tape at its slightly toned outer margin edges to a heavy thick cardboard stock backing measuring about 37" x 48" for prior framing. It has since been removed from the frame and is ready to be reframed, anew. When reframed, this print will attain its former prominence as a massive historical display. Some scattered portions of this print have been Hand-colored (for example, some of the ladies' dresses have been trimmed in blue and the laurel wreath crowning Franklin is green); the few others we've seen are either uncolored or have additional colors. An opportunity to acquire this impressive print and frame if as desired.