America triumphant and Britannia in distress

A crude allegory of American prosperity and victory over England. Below the image an "Explanation" reads: "I America sitting on that quarter of the globe with the Flag of the United States displayed over her head; holding in one hand the Olive branch, inviting the ships of all nations to partake of her commerce; and in the other hand supporting the Cap of Liberty. II Fame proclaiming the joyful news to all the world. III Britannia weeping at the loss of the trade of America, attended with an evil genius. IV The British flag struck, on her strong Fortresses. V French, Spanish, Dutch &c shipping in the harbours of America. VI A view of New York wherein is exhibited the Trator [sic] Arnold, taken with remorse for selling his [country?] and Judas like hanging himself." America is represented by a Minerva figure, seated beneath a dead tree, with a shield bearing a snake. The shield is ringed with another snake, the Uroborus. The American flag has thirteen stars.

Another impression appears as the frontispiece in "Weatherwise's Town and Country Almanack," Boston, 1782.

Cresswell, no. 839

Fielding, no. 1776

Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1782-1.

Published in: American women : a Library of Congress guide ... Washington : Library of Congress, 2001, p. 184.

Published in: The American Revolution in drawings and prints; a checklist of 1765-1790 graphics in the Library of Congress / Compiled by Donald H. Cresswell, with a foreword by Sinclair H. Hitchings. Washington : [For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. Govt. Print. Off.], 1975, no. 839.

Exhibited in: "Creating the United States" at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., 2010.

america personified arnold benedict minerva allegorical prints etchings america britannia distress 1782 new york american women a gateway to library of congress resources for the study of women history and culture in the united states cartoon prints american popular graphic arts ultra high resolution high resolution etching new york new amsterdam prints french art flag library of congress vintage ads

1850 - 1950

Library of Congress

http://www.loc.gov/

Public Domain