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LEHMAN, Geo.
[Philadelphia] The Great Elm Tree of Shackamaxon (now Kensington) Under which William Penn concluded his Treaty - with the Indians in 1682 it fell during a storm in 1810, This block of marble was placed by the Penn Society AD 1827 to mark the scite [sic] of the Elm Tree and Treaty Ground of William Penn & the Indian Natives - in 1682 & bears the inscriptions. "Unbroken Faith." "By Deeds of Peace"
circa 1829]. Hand-coloured aquatint, painted and engraved by Lehman. Very good condition with the exception of some minor soiling in the margins, a very slight loss at the upper left corner. Image size (including text): 14 1/8 x 18 1/4 inches. Sheet size: 16 1/8 x 21 inches.
The "Treaty Elm," where Native Americans met with William Penn is one of the quintessential American images of Colonial origins, a relic of the birth of the Commonwealth.
The date of this aquatint is uncertain, possibly as early as 1829. It presents a familiar view of the city from under the legendary tree where Penn is thought to have met with members of various Indian tribes in 1682 (as sketched by Benjamin West sketched prior to his departure for Italy in 1760). A monument in Penns Treaty Park in Philadelphia marks the spot where the great tree stood until it was toppled by a storm in 1810.
George Lehman, born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania was an accomplished landscape artist, aquatint engraver and lithographer. His lithographic firm of Lehman and Duval produced numerous remarkable works, including a fine set of views of Philadelphia. After the partnership was dissolved in 1837, Lehman continued to work as a designer for other engravers, and produced aquatint engravings on his own. (Fowble)
Fowble, Two Centuries of Prints in America, 1680-1880, 258
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#15049 $3,850.00 
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© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
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