The Taking of Yorktown — Framed print with the title in French and English — 1840 or 1855

Updated September 19 at 9:10pm: This framed print has been sold.

This hand-colored lithograph shows American, British and Hessian soldiers in hand to hand combat at the Siege of Yorktown. The Library of Congress lists the date as 1840; Mount Vernon lists it as 1855.

Printed at the bottom left corner of the image:  "Paris, V. Turgis, editeur, rue Serpente, 10 et a New-York, 300." On the bottom right corner of the image: "Lith. de Turgis, a Paris."

While I don't know, my interpretation is that the lithograph was created in Paris and printed in both Paris and New York. As shown below, the title and caption are in French and English.

I don't recall another print from this era that captures the hand to hand combat as dramatically as this print, right down to the (pantless) man with a bullet in his skull confronting the viewer.

This print is very rare, especially the colored version, and it's in outstanding condition.

— Lee Wright | Founder

Prise de Yorktown.

Washington, seconde par les troupes francaises, sous les ordres de comte de Rochambeau, attaque les Anglais commandes par Cornwallis, qui, presses par des forces superieures, se renferme dans Yorktown; il y est aussiot assiege et si etroitment bloque qu il est force de se rendre prisonnier de guerre aves huit mille hommes, le 19 Decembre 1781.

The Taking of Yorktown

Washington, assisted by the french troops under the orders of Count Rochambeau, attacks the English commanded by Cornwallis who pressed by superior forces shuts himself up in Yorktown, he is immediately besieged there, and so closely blocaded, that he is forced to surrender himself prisoner of war with 8000 men, the 19th of December 1781.

This is in the collection at Mount Vernon, but theirs is not colored, and the color does so much to bring the image and the action to life.

Framed under glass.

Frame size: 23" x 27" 

Shipping: $40. Please allow two weeks for shipping.