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THBThe Action Between the Serapis + the Bon Homme Richard, September 23, 1779 - Historic Engraved Print
Lot 66
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Early American History Auctions
1520 Commerce St., #312
Winchester, VA 22601
United States
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By Early American History Auctions
Dec 20, 2025
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2025-12-20 12:00:00
2025-12-20 12:00:00
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Bidsquare : Early American History Auctions - December 20, 2025
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199 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Historic Maps & more. Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
199 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Historic Maps & more. Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
View Full Catalog (199)
- Lot Description
American Revolution
"The Action Between the Serapis and the Bon Homme Richard, September 23, 1779" Hand-Colored Engraving by R. Whitechurch, After the Painting by James Hamilton
1840-1870, Historic Hand-Color Engraved Print titled, "The Action Between the Serapis and the Bon Homme Richard, September 23, 1779", engraved by R. Whitechurch after a painting by James Hamilton (1819-1878), Professionally Framed, Choice Extremely Fine.
The historic Revolutionary War epic naval battle where Jphn Paul Jones became famous for his enduring statement, "I have not yet begun to fight !" This outstanding original engraving was printed by R. Whitechurch, after the original artwork Oil Painting by James Hamilton (1819-1878). It is Hand-colored with rich vibrant blue, red other colors, professionally framed and displayed, protected though special museum quality glare-free UV Plexiglas, housed in a patriotic modern wood frame measuring fully to 33" x 43.5". In addition to his painting the first known Portrait of John Paul Jones in 1781, artist Charles Willson Peale admired Jones's patriotic courage and built a Peale Museum exhibit of "moving pictures" around the theme which he referred to as, "The Gallant Action of Paul Jones in Taking the Serapis." The Peale's Museum exhibit featured several paintings that depicted this 3-hour Naval Battle's course. A most impressive large historic American print that is ready to hang on display.
Depictions of the moon-lit battle were created soon after it took place. Elegant engravings of the battle were issued as early as 1784. While the American victory over HMS Serapis in 1779 is one that many historians (and Charles Willson Peale) have extolled, John Paul Jones himself soberly recounted the decisive encounter. When the 3 hour battle was over, 1st Lt. Richard Dale led the American boarders from Bonhomme Richard to the Serapis after the British flag had been lowered in surrender. He was shocked to find the remains of the Serapis crew completely scorched, yet still at their guns. John Paul Jones wrote to Benjamin Franklin on October 3, 1779... "Humanity cannot but recoil from the prospect of such finished horror...". Overall, a beautiful, highly appealing colorful presentation having exceptional eye appeal, ready to hang on display.
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Charles Willson Peale's words describing the naval battle action might well have inspired Marine painter James Hamilton to accomplish this current engraving half a century later. Peale described the allure of the momentus battle with the HMS Serapis in a letter written to George Weeden on February 21, 1786, reading: "The scene opens with the commencement of the Engagement in the evening - The fleet going off in the distance - the heat of the Action by Moon-light --- the Sea is calmed - The sails of both ships are torn, and the Mainmast of the Serapis falls, at which time she Surrenders - ." (See: Miller, Selected Papers of Charles Willson Peale, vol. I, page 441).
Bonhomme Richard, formerly named "Duc de Duras," was a warship in the American Continental Navy. She was originally an East Indiaman, being a merchant ship built in France for the French East India Company in 1765, used for service between France and Asia.
She was placed at the disposal of John Paul Jones on February 4th, 1779, by King Louis XVI of France as a result of a loan to the United States by French shipping magnate Jacques-Donatien Le Ray. The Bonhomme Richard was procured for John Paul Jones by Colonel Stephen Moylan.
The Naval Engagement between Bonhomme Richard and Serapis (Sept. 23, 1779), fought in the American Revolutionary War, was a notable American naval victory, won off the east coast of England by Captain John Paul Jones.
Challenged by a large, combined French and Spanish fleet, the British Navy was too preoccupied to prevent American interference with its merchant marine in the Atlantic. Operating from French bases, John Paul Jones led a small fleet around the British Isles from August to October 1779.
Sighting two enemy ships of war conveying merchantmen loaded with naval stores, Jones's Bonhomme Richard engaged the British frigate HMS Serapis, commanded by Captain Richard Pearson, in a memorable 3 1/2-hour duel. The American commander answered a challenge to surrender early in the battle with the historic famous quotation: "I have not yet begun to fight!"
The slaughter on both sides was great; an estimated 150 Americans and nearly as many British were killed or wounded. Despite the fact that his ship was sinking (later Jones moved his command to the Serapis), Jones outlasted his adversary and forced a British surrender.
KEYWORDS:
Serapis, Bon Homme Richard, 1779, Whitechurch, James Hamilton, Engraving, Engraved Print, American Revolution, John Paul Jones, Benjamin Franklin
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