Capture of Major John Andre near Tarrytwon, New York by three volunteer militiamen, John Paulding, Isaac Van Wart, and David Williams., Inscribed upper left corner: S. 142., Plate 10 from Matthias Sprengel. Historisch-genalogischer Calendar oder Jahrbuch... (Leipzig: bey Haude und Spener Von Berlin, 1783). (LCP Am 1783 Spre, Log 5059.D)., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014., Chodowiecki was a prominent German engraver and painter who specialized in prints of historical subjects.
Creator
Chodowiecki, Daniel, 1726-1801, etcher
Date
[1783]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *GC - American Revolution [P.8935.10]
Black silk with cut paper on top., Removed from its frame in 2007., Label on verso: Profiles of Captain Batwell and Major Andre cut by Major Andre for Miss Rebecca Redman Lawrence in the year 1778, and presented by her daughter Miss Eliza Lawrence to her cousin Henry Penington in the year 1841. After the death of Mr. Henry Penington these profiles were returned to me, I now give them to Commander Foxhall A. Parker. Eliza Lawrence, Aug. 22, 1862., Gift of Mrs. John Meredith Read, 1900., LCP Annual Report, 1900: "In concluding this brief review of the year’s gifts, it remains to mention that which Philadelphians will probably considered the most valuable: it is the André Collection, belonging to the late Gen. John Meredith Read, at one time Minister of the United States to Athens, presented by his family to the Library Company. It comprises a large mirror (68 x 29 x 2") which formed part of the decoration of the Wharton House at the time of the Mischianza; profiles cut by Major André for Miss Rebecca Redman, in 1778, of Capt. Lullum Batwell, of the 46th Regiment of Foot, and of himself; a ticket for the Mischianza, May 18th, 1778, with invitation written on the back and signed by Sir Henry Calder; profile of Major Edward Stanley, of the 17th Light Dragoons, afterwards the twelfth Earl of Derby, and the following verses written to a German air by Major André at the request of Miss Redman, January 2d, 1777."
This richly decorated frame has carved and gilded moldings with pendants of leaves, blossoms, and fruit. Lettered around the frame in gilt reads, “Mischianza-1778. / This mirror was in the ballroom of the Wharton House, Philadelphia at the above date & on the occasion of above fête./ General Meredith Read’s André relics.” The Meschianza ended with a ball, which took place in an elaborate canvas tent. The interior of the tent was painted and decorated with mirrors (including this one) and chandeliers, many of them borrowed from neighboring mansions., Gift of Mrs. John Meredith Read, 1900., Exhibited in the Philadelphia Museum of Art's exhibition, Art in Revolutionary Philadelphia (2010-2011).
Depicts a life-sized painted image of a soldier in a hallway, standing in front of a closed door, next to a hat and coat stand and two side chairs. On both sides of the door are two instruments affixed to the wall, probably to register the temperature and humidity. Purportedly created by Major Andre, who lodged in Benjamin Franklin's house during the 1777-78 British occupation of Philadelphia., Inscribed in negative: 3843., Title from negative sleeve., Dwelling built in 1744 by Philadelphia wine merchant John Wister. His house was the first in Germantown built solely for summer residency and greatly exceeded the dimensions of the homes around it, giving it the nickname "Wister's Big House."
Creator
Hand, Alfred, photographer
Date
1921
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department 4x5 Glass Negatives - Hand [P.9259.154]
