Handkerchief

Dateca. 1800

MediumCotton, plate-printed

DimensionsOW: 20 3/4"; OH: 19 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2009-18

DescriptionRectangular handkerchief copperplate-printed in red on white cotton. Narrow hems top and bottom; edges finished by selvages. The printed design memorializes George Washington. The center scene within a circular format shows Washington on his death-bed. Surrounding the center scene are frames with printed text, reading from top, counter-clockwise:

The Death of General Washington
This most illustrious and much lamented Personage died on the 15th of Decr 1799, in the 68th year of his Age, after a short illness of 30 hours in the full Possession of all his Fame, like a Christian and an Hero, calm and collected without a groan and without a sigh.

He united and adorned many excellent Characters, at once the Patriot and Politician; the Soldier & the Citizen; the Husbandman and the Hero; the Favourite of the Genius of Liberty; the Father of AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE; the Promoter of her extensive and BROTHERLY UNION; the Pillar of her CONSTITUTION; the PRESIDENT of her SENATE; and the GENERALISSIMO of her ARMIES.

He was GREAT in the COUNCIL and in the FIELD.

First in War, first in Peace, first in the hearts of AMERICANS, first in the Eyes of the World, he was unrivalled as a Stateman as a Soldier, as a Senator-and he is embalmed by the tears of AMERICA, entombed in the hearts of his Countrymen, admired by the enlightened of all Lands, immortalized by his own great actions and the regrets of Mankind.

He Was GREAT in ART and in ARMS

He possessed and displayed extraordinary abilities, exalted VIRTUES, and unexampled Self command and Self denial; moderate in Prosperity, undaunted amid Danger, unbroken by adversity, firm and unmoved amid the violence or reproach of Faction, unperverted by great and general applause.

Label TextGeorge Washington’s death in 1799 sent the entire country into mourning, and many people sought mementoes of the first President, including this scene of his death.