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Little help with Print of Washington Inspecting first coins, by John Ward Dunsmore
bdevey
Posts: 4 ✭
Hello everyone, I'm new here, I could use some help, I recently came across what I think is a lithograph? of John Ward Dunsmore's, Inspecting the first coinage. Any info would be helpful, year made and how many known copies would be great. It measures 14x20 inches, signed "John Ward Dunsmore 1914" with no other writings or stamps. Framed by Chadds Ford Gallery Inc. in Chadds Ford Pa.
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Welcome @bdevey
Here is some info from The E-Sylum: Volume 10, Number 2, January 14, 2007, Article 12
THREE VERSIONS OF DUNSMORE'S FIRST COINAGE PAINTING
Regarding Joel Orosz and Len Augsburger's request for information on
the oil painting by John Ward Dunsmore entitled "Inspecting the First
Coinage," Dick Johnson writes:
"There are three versions of the painting. The original is in the U.S.
Mint (or at least it was when I researched it in 1989). They are correct
in that it was commissioned by Frank Stewart in 1914. Stewart donated it
to the Mint in 1916 where it has hung ever since.
"All figures but one -- mint workers and U.S. officials -- can be
identified. Left to right are: Unknown worker (back to viewer),
Alexander Hamilton, Mrs. Hamilton, David Rittenhouse, George Washington,
Thomas Jefferson, Martha Washington (seated), Adam Eckfelt, Thomas Lear
holding out a tray of coins for Martha to inspect, and Henry Voigt at
the coin press in the background right.
more info here https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n02a12.html
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@bdevey....Welcome aboard.....Interesting painting, I have no further information regarding the subject. Cheers, RickO
Thank you, 1630Boston and ricko, here is another photo, Almost can see the coins
Interesting item. At the ANA Convention in Chicago (Rosemont) in 2013 or 2014, one of the dealers displayed a similar print and it was for sale. I don't recall the price, but I remember seeing the thing still in the booth on the last day of the Convention. That particular print might have been more faded out than yours.
Welcome to the forums @bdevey.
Additional information from the US Mint’s website:
First Coinage Bronze Medal 1 5/16 Inch
The obverse of the medal features a portrait profile of George Washington with the inscription “GEORGE WASHINGTON PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1789” centered along the border of the medal.
The reverse of the medal features Martha Washington with lorgnette in hand, sitting before a tray of silver coins held by Henry Voight. In the distinguished group around her are President Washington; his Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson; and Treasury Secretary and Mrs. Alexander Hamilton. Tobias Lear, private secretary to the President, watches David Rittenhouse, newly appointed Mint Director, offer a coin from the tray for the First Lady’s inspection. Adam Eckfeldt surveys the proceedings from his post at the coining press.
https://catalog.usmint.gov/first-coinage-bronze-medal-one-5-16inch-705.html?cgid=treasury-mint#start=1
thanks for the information....
Thanks Bill and Hemispherical, This piece is very interesting
The lithographs were originally published in two forms, either loose or as part of the Frank H. Stewart Electric Company (in Philadelphia) calendar for 1916. The calendar comes in small or large format. Frank Greenberg owns an example of the large format calendar that has been exhibited at a few shows. MrHalfDime owned a small format calendar said to have vibrant colors (this one looks slightly washed out or faded).
The (original) loose lithos were sized 7x10 or 16x25.
There was also a loose litho reprint, which comes without the stock number in the lower left corner. You may have to unframe this to see what's down there. I've only seen one example of the reprint, 16x23. Inconsistent aspect ratios are due to cropping.
All of these are rare (1 or 2 known, not counting the examples in the Rowan University collection that will never be sold).
The original painting by Dunsmore is on display at the Mint in Philadelphia and is on loan from Independence National Historical Park.
Thanks Coinosaurus, I unframed it enough to view inside, there is only the Signature and date, at the very bottom left edge, maybe the numbers were cropped off? That would be a shame. You gave me great information. I plan on taking a closer look with a framer, and maybe have the old glass replaced.
How can I tell which print this is?