PRE-REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Double-Sided ENGRAVED COPPER ALPHABET BOARD with ENGRAVER’S ADVERTISEMENT

BOSTON, CA 1770-1775 
....SOLD

A historic little treasure made just prior to the outbreak of the American Revolution in the heart of 18th century Boston near Faneuil Hall, The Old Statehouse, the site of the Boston Massacre, and other sites on the Freedom Trail.

The front an ALPHABET BOARD. Note there is no letter ‘J’, which was not used in this period, and that the ‘V’ and ‘U’ are out of sequence, speaking to the education level of the engraver. Also engraved with a sailor and “Love and live hap”, and “in NO? ____Amen W.Taylor” (probably 1714 - 1789). Taylor was possibly the engraver, & brother-in-law to Joseph Winslow.

The back is an advertisement for Joseph Winslow (1724-1777). Engraved backwards so that it can be printed (either as an advertisement or trade-card): JOS WINSLOW / Brazier & Ship Chandler/ near the Heart & Crowne/ in Cornhill/ BOSTON. Winslow and Taylor at one time owned the business together. Note the lighthouse engraved above.

This board was made during the hostilities in Boston leading up to the American Revolution. The Winslow shop was located near the Heart and Crown which is where the Fleet’s published the Boston Evening Post (1735-1775) which stopped printing April 24, 1775 due to the British siege of Boston. It is probable that Winslow’s shop closed by then as well.

Comes with a custom-made mount. The copper plate about 3 inches square. Mounted stands about 5 ¼ inches tall. Unpolished dark patina.

Epilogue: Joseph Winslow held the rank of Colonel during the Revolution. William Taylor was a British loyalist, fleeing Boston for Nova Scotia. After the Revolution he returned to Boston where he became a very successful merchant. His son, also William Taylor, was painted by Ralph Earl in 1790. This well known portrait is shown in my images.