Antique Silk Broadside An Elegiac Poem Death of President George Washington 1800

An important & rare antique American political printed silk broadside, an elegy on the death of President George Washington, dated 1800.

A poem on the Death of President George Washington January 1, 1800, see “Threads of History” No. 18, Shown P. 56.
January 1, 1800-Dated Federal Period, Memorial Poem Silk Broadside, Printed in black on fine off-white Silk, entitled:

“An Elegiac Poem on the Death of General George Washington Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States. Dedicated To The Patrons of The True American. at the commencement of the year 1800”.

This very rare original early printed cream colored silk textile is listed in the major reference book, “Threads of History,” Americana recorded on cloth, 1775 to the present, published by the Smithsonian Institution, and listed as Item number 18 on page 56.
The silk and printing is in remarkable condition, having a few scattered minor stains, could be easily cleaned by a textile conservator. All the text is clear and fully readable, there are no splits to the silk, one very tiny hole lower left. It is remarkable that any example has survived to this date, especially in as good condition as this copy is.

An exceedingly rare and historic General George Washington memorial tribute a very rare commemorative item & one of the very earliest of all American Printed Historical Textiles. Issued in the wake of George Washington’s death on December 14th, 1799, this printed poem is presented in a three vertical column format of text, displayed within a pair of outer decorative pediment columns with trailing floral decoration. To the top of each column is a funerary urn, above the arch & introductory text are cannons with the flags of the Republic & cherubs playing a harp. This remarkable printed textile is period to Washington’s death & dated 1800″, a rare & important piece of Americana.

Bloomsbury Fine Art & Antiques ship globally and we pack to the very highest standards to ensure that your purchase arrives safe & sound. If we have your location, we can provide a preferential shipping quote.