03-01-201503-01-2015
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2786BBoston
March 1, 2015 10:00 AMCalender
2

Paul Revere (American, 1735-1818) The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street, BOSTON, on March 5th 1770, by a Party of the 29th REG

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$135,000$110,000
Auction: American Furniture & Decorative Arts - 2786BLocation: BostonDate / Time: March 01, 2015 10:00AM

Description:

Paul Revere (American, 1735-1818)

The Bloody Massacre
perpetrated in King Street, BOSTON, on March 5th 1770, by a Party of the 29th REGT. Boston: Engrav'd Printed & Sold by Paul Revere, March 1770., engraving with hand-coloring, Brigham, plate 14; this variant with small clock at left center reading 10:20 (Brigham notes a later variant altered to the more historically accurate time of 8:00). Printed on laid paper with watermark "W," framed, sheet ht. 11 1/4, wd. 9 5/8 in.

Provenance: John Fremont Hill (1855-1912),45th Governor of Maine (1901-1905). A native of Eliot, Maine, he graduated from Maine Medical School of Brunswick in 1877, practicing for a year in Boothbay Harbor. Soon thereafter he helped establish the successful Vickery and Hill Publishing Company. He began his political career being elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 1889 and served for three years before serving in the Senate from 1893-1897. Hill was elected Governor in 1900 and served that office for two terms. The Bloody Massacre print is documented in estate files as having hung in the governor's mansion in Augusta, Maine.

Upon Hill's death in 1912, the print was inherited by his son-in-law John Merrill and his daughter Katharine Hill Merrill, who lived in the governor's mansion through the 1960s. It then descended to their daughter, Mary Merrill of Saco, Maine, who preserved it until 2005 when it passed to her nephew, the present owner.

Unfortunately, the details of when and where John Fremont Hill acquired Revere's Bloody Massacre print are unknown.
Estimate $100,000-120,000

Spot restorations to left margin, upper left sky partially effecting the moon, billowing smoke, edge of the steeple, and "RE" in "MASSACRE" with professionally repaired splits on the verso. An "L" shaped split on the right margin not extending into the image.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords

Paul Revere, Maine, 45th Governor, Boothbay Harbor, Eliot, Maine Medical School of Brunswick, Senate, Maine House of Representatives, John Fremont Hill, Augusta, John Merrill, Katharine Hill Merrill, son-in-law, Mary Merrill