Pro Patria [George Washington Portrait]

Uncommon portrait of Washington from the early 19th century in an interesting contemporary setting.

This fantastic piece of ephemera was issued around the first decade of the 19th century, shortly after the founding of the Washington Benevolent Society. Established in New York by supporters of the Federalist party (though Washington himself was staunchly opposed to political parties), the grass-roots political club pioneered the use of badges, buttons, and ribbons for election campaigns. “Among the earliest mass-produced partisan objects in American political history.”

The image seen here is usually found on such items, though less often in printed form. The stipple work portrait of the American Cincinnatus is issued on a sheet measuring approximately 4″ x 6.5″ and features the motto of the Washington Benevolent Society, Pro Patria (“For Country”).This particular example is attached with a period hand-made straight pin to the title page of the Dublin edition of Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, 1784, measuring 5.25″ x 8.5″. The title page also features an old owner’s inscription – a fascinating way for Samuel Marsh to commemorate Washington’s portrait.

Source: Melden, Hail to the Candidate / Presidential Campaigns From Banners to Broadsides, p. 65.