Reddition De L'Armée Du Lord Cornwallis

Article description

Copper Engraving, uncolored by Godefroy, Francois, published 1783 by Francois Godefroy and Nicolas Ponce, Paris. Image size: 12.5 x 17,5 cm (5 x 7 inches). A rare French engraving of the American Revolutionary War — among the earliest European visual records of America's founding. François Godefroy (1743–1819) was a leading French engraver and print publisher active in Paris during the late 18th century. He produced a celebrated series of engravings depicting major battles and events of the American Revolutionary War, issued around 1783 — the year the war ended with the Treaty of Paris. These battle prints, including scenes of the Yorktown surrender, the Battle of Lexington, and the capture of Pensacola, were based on drawings by prominent artists and engraved to the highest French standards. As among the first and finest European visual records of the founding events of the United States, Godefroy's Revolutionary War prints are historically important primary documents sought by collectors of Americana, military history, and 18th-century European printmaking. This rare early view shows Lord Cornwallis surrendering and presenting his sword to George Washington, who is standing in the left foreground, on 19 October 1781; nearby some officers, among them Rochambeau and soldiers armed with bayonets. The view appeared in Nicolas Ponce and Francois Godefroys 'Recueil d'estampes représentant les différents événements de la guerre qui a procure l'indépendance aux Etats' (collection of prints depicting the various events of the war, which gave states independence). A clear and fine impression, outer margins with old traces of folds. Paper sheet size ca. 19.4 x 22 cm (7.75 x 8,75 inches).

Godefroy, Francois – Reddition De L'Armée Du Lord Cornwallis · Antique Map, Copper Engraving · 12.5 x 17,5 cm · Francois Godefroy and Nicolas Ponce, Paris 1783

Southern US (Maryland, Virginia, Georgia,...)