Judaica
"Ahab, King of Israel, Slain in his Chariot" Engraved Print from Maynard's "Josephus" by Amos Doolittle
c. 1800, "Ahab, King of Israel, Slain in his Chariot by an Arrow at the Battle of Ramoth Gilead" by Amos Doolittle, Very Fine.
From the American edition of Maynard's "Josephus," meauring 16" x 9.5, trimmed along the left edge and lightly dampstained, with some ghosting of the text visible where the ink burned softly into the paper. Doolittle was a Minuteman, a mapmaker, and a famous American engraver of the late 1700s and early 1800s whose prints are eagerly sought-after today. This attractive print is suitable for framing and display.
Amos Doolittle (May 8, 1754 - February 2, 1832) was an American engraver and silversmith, known as "The Paul Revere of Connecticut."
A self-taught artist from Cheshire, CT., Doolittle became an expert in copper plate engraving and specialized in scenes of the American Revolutionary War when in 1775 he enlisted in the New Haven company of the Governor's Guards, including a four engraving set depicting the April 19th, 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord, which were based on his first-hand reconnaissance of the battlefield. He was sought out by many early Americans eager to learn the art of engraving, including James Wilson and Ralph Earl.
Amos Doolittle was also member of the Governor's Second Company of Guards under Capt. Benedict Arnold.
The success of his first prints marked the beginning of Doolittle's artistic career. He was sought out by many early Americans eager to learn the art of engraving, including James Wilson. Doolittle established a shop in New Haven, Connecticut, on the present-day site of Yale University's Old Campus, from where he created portraits, maps, and bookplates. Doolittle died on January 30, 1832 and is buried in the Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven