A Display of the United States of America

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This engraving represents George Washington at the center of the new federal government. Amos Doolittle praises Washington as the “protector of his country, and the supported of the rights of mankind.” Surrounding the portrait of Washington as a unifying force are the interlinked seals of the thirteen original states.

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Date1788-1789

Engraver Amos Doolittle (American, 1754 - 1832)

Printer Amos Doolittle (American, 1754 - 1832)

Publisher Amos Doolittle (American, 1754 - 1832)

Subject George Washington (American, 1732 - 1799)

Geography Printed - United States

Medium/TechniqueInk on paper; hand applied pigment, etching and line engraving.

DimensionsOverall: (H x W) 20 5/8 in. x 17 in. (52.32 cm x 43.18 cm) Plate: (H x W) unknown, sheet has been trimmed Image: (Hx W) 16 in. x 16 1/4 in. (40.64 cm x 41.28 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. George L. Andrews, 1910

Object numberM-1078

DescriptionA circular bust portrait of George Washington facing 1/4 right surrounded by the seals of the thirteen colonies. The seals are encircled by a interlocking rings and joined by a seal of the United States. In the four corners of the sheet there are calligraphic ovals surrounding text. There is also the title and further text printed below the image.

SignedPrinted in ink in the bottom-right corner:"Amos Dolittle & Eng. & Prtr.".
Published ReferencesWendy C. Wick, George Washington: An American Icon, (Washington D.C.: The Smithsonian Institution, 1982), 99-100.
Carl W. Dreppard, Early American Prints, (New York: The Century Company, 1930), 52.

MarkingsPrinted in ink on the top-left corner: "The / United States / were first declared / Free and Independant / July 4th 1776". Printed in ink on the top-right corner: "The present / Consitution / was formd by the / Grand Convention / held at Philadelphia Sept. 7th / 1787". Printed in ink encircling the state seals. Begininning with the seal of the United States, clockwise: "Armes of the United States / Total of Inhabitants 2,897,444", "New Hampshire 2 Senators 3 Represenattives. / 102,000 inhabitants.", "Massachusetts 2 Senat. 8 Repr. / 357,511 Inhabitants.", "Rhode Island Senat. - Repr. / 51,896 Inhabitants.", "Connecticut 2 Senat. 5 Repr. / 209,149 Inhabitants.", "New York 2 Senat. 6 Repr. / 257,786", "New Jersey 2 Senat. 4 Repr. / 140,435 Inhabitants.", "Pennsylvania 2 Senat. 8 Repr. / 360,000 Inhabitants", "Delaware 2 Senat.1 Repr. / 37,000 Inhabitants.", "Maryland 2 Senat. 6 Repr. / 254,050 Inhabitants", "Virginia 2 Senat. 10 Repr. / 567,614 Inhabitants", "North Carolina 2 Senat. 5 Repr. / 200,000 Inhabitants.", "South Carolina 2 Senat. 5 Repr. 200,000 Inhabitants.", "Georgia 2 Senat. 3 Repr. / 90,000 Inhabitants". Printed in ink encircling the portrait image :"George Washington President of the United States of America. The Protector of his Country. and the Supporter of the rights of Mankind". Printed in ink below the portrait image: "Born 11th. Feb 1732 O.S.". Printed in ink in the bottom-left corner :"The number of Inhabitants in the / several States is according as they were, / reckoned in the Grand Convention / held at Philadelphia in 1787". Printed in ink in the bottom-right corner: "The number of Senators and Represent / atives is what the Constitution / alloweth each State at Congress". Printed in ink below the portrait and interlocking rings image: "A Display of the United States of America / To the Patrons of Arts and Sciences, in all parts of the World this plate / is most respectfully Dedicated by their most obedient humble servants / Printed & Sold by A. Doolittle New Haven where Engraving & Roling Press Printing is performed". Printed in the bottom-right corner of the sheet: "Dolittle dellin. en signe".

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