Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
George Washington Commemorative Print and Relic
Artifact IDMO 2006.4
Object Type
Engraving
Designer
Hammatt Billings
(American sculptor, 1818 - 1874)
Engraver
American Bank Note Company
(American printing and engraving firm, 1795 - 2020)
Publisher
Horace Barnes and Company
(American firm, 19th century)
Maker
Mount Vernon Factory
Date1859
Mediumpaper, ink, wood, glass, metal
Dimensionsoverall H 3 3/4 in x Diam 3 1/8 in (9.5 cm x 7.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionA miniature engraving commemorating George Washington. At the center of the circular print is a right-facing profile portrait of George Washington encircled by a border of 13 stars. Beneath the portrait are the dates: “Born Feb 22 AD 1732 / Died Dec 14, 1799.” Surrounding the portrait are various patriotic images including a shield, a laurel wreath, and Lady Liberty, as well as views of Mount Vernon and Washington’s tomb. Printed along the circumference of the engraving is the maker’s information: “DESIGNED BY H. BILLINGS, ENGRAVED BY THE AMERICAN BANK NOTE CO. / Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1859 by H. Barnes in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.”
The engraving is within a circular frame made of wood from Mount Vernon and is protected by curved glazing. On the reverse of the frame is a circular printed paper label with an authentication statement: “WASHINGTON D.C. 14th., NOV. 1859. / I hereby certify that the picture-frame stamped FROM MOUNT VERNON, J. CRUTCHETT, (to which this is attached,) was manufactured at the ‘MOUNT VERNON FACTORY’ from wood grown at MOUNT VERNON, the home and resting-place of the immortal GEORGE WASHINGTON, in agreement with the accompanying printed certificates of John A. Washington Esq., proprietor of Mount Vernon and his Honor the Mayor of Washington City, dated Nov. 12th 1856. This beautiful GEM gives an artistic likeness of GENERAL WASHINGTON, together with a view of the MANSION of MOUNT VERNON & TOMB of WASHINGTON. / J. CRUTCHETT. / THIS BEAUTIFUL GEM, framed in Mt. Vernon Wood, can only be had, wholesale and retail, at HORACE BARNES & CO. at their principal Depot in WASHINGTON, D.C. or their Agents throughout the United States.” A handwritten ink note on the label reads, “From E. D. Spiers.”
Additional DetailsThe engraving is within a circular frame made of wood from Mount Vernon and is protected by curved glazing. On the reverse of the frame is a circular printed paper label with an authentication statement: “WASHINGTON D.C. 14th., NOV. 1859. / I hereby certify that the picture-frame stamped FROM MOUNT VERNON, J. CRUTCHETT, (to which this is attached,) was manufactured at the ‘MOUNT VERNON FACTORY’ from wood grown at MOUNT VERNON, the home and resting-place of the immortal GEORGE WASHINGTON, in agreement with the accompanying printed certificates of John A. Washington Esq., proprietor of Mount Vernon and his Honor the Mayor of Washington City, dated Nov. 12th 1856. This beautiful GEM gives an artistic likeness of GENERAL WASHINGTON, together with a view of the MANSION of MOUNT VERNON & TOMB of WASHINGTON. / J. CRUTCHETT. / THIS BEAUTIFUL GEM, framed in Mt. Vernon Wood, can only be had, wholesale and retail, at HORACE BARNES & CO. at their principal Depot in WASHINGTON, D.C. or their Agents throughout the United States.” A handwritten ink note on the label reads, “From E. D. Spiers.”
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view