Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
The memorable Engagement of Captn. Pearson of the Serapis, with Paul Jones of the Bon Homme Richard & his Squadron, Sep. 23, 1779
Object numberMO 1941.3.177b
Name
Engraving
Artist
Richard Paton
(British, 1717 - 1791)
Engraver
Lerpiniere & Fittler
Publisher
John Boydell
(English, 1720 - 1804)
Date1780
Mediumwatercolor on wove paper
Dimensionsframe H 26 1/4 in x W 29 3/4 in x D 1 1/4 in (66.7 cm x 75.6 cm x 3.2 cm )
DescriptionA hand colored line engraving depicting the action between the ships HMS SERAPIS and USS BONHOMME RICHARD on September 23, 1779 off the east coast of England. The moonlit nighttime scene depicts three ships locked in battle with the British ship SERAPIS on the left and the American BONHOMME RICHARD on the right. Additional sailing vessels can faintly be seen in the right background.
The full title of the engraving, attached below the image, is apparently from another copy of the print and reads: The memorable Engagement of Captn. Pearson of the Serapis, / with Paul Jones of the Bon Homme Richard & his Squadron, Sep. 23, 1779. A similar title in French is printed to the right. A dedication below title reads: To Sir Richard Pearson Knt. whose Bravery & Conduct saved the Baltic Fleet, under his Convoy tho' obliged to / submit to a much superior force, This representation of that Action, Is with great Respect Inscribed, by his most obedient Servant, Richard Paton.
To each side of the title and dedication are statements in English and French regarding the forces and losses of the two squadrons during the battle.
The makers' information appears beneath the title and dedication: Richd. Paton Pinxit[lower left]; Lerpiniere & Fittler Sculpnt [lower right]; J. Boydell excudit 1781 [middle]; Published Decr. 12th 1780 by John Boydell, Engraver in Cheapside, London.
The engraving is glazed, matted, and framed in a modern ¼" oak frame with a light stain.
Label TextFranklin Roosevelt was an avid, lifelong collector of prints, engravings, and paintings illustrating the history of the United States Navy. He purchased this engraving at the Holden Sale at the American Art Galleries in New York, NY in 1910 for $22.The full title of the engraving, attached below the image, is apparently from another copy of the print and reads: The memorable Engagement of Captn. Pearson of the Serapis, / with Paul Jones of the Bon Homme Richard & his Squadron, Sep. 23, 1779. A similar title in French is printed to the right. A dedication below title reads: To Sir Richard Pearson Knt. whose Bravery & Conduct saved the Baltic Fleet, under his Convoy tho' obliged to / submit to a much superior force, This representation of that Action, Is with great Respect Inscribed, by his most obedient Servant, Richard Paton.
To each side of the title and dedication are statements in English and French regarding the forces and losses of the two squadrons during the battle.
The makers' information appears beneath the title and dedication: Richd. Paton Pinxit[lower left]; Lerpiniere & Fittler Sculpnt [lower right]; J. Boydell excudit 1781 [middle]; Published Decr. 12th 1780 by John Boydell, Engraver in Cheapside, London.
The engraving is glazed, matted, and framed in a modern ¼" oak frame with a light stain.
Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesUnited States Navy Materials (National Archives Identifier 782673)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.Collections
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