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The Illustrated Inventory of Paul Revere's works
at the American Antiquarian Society
Revere Collection - Royal American Magazine Plates
Note: plates are ordered here as they appear in the AAS Copy of The Royal American Magazine 1774-5
Image(s): Location & Description:
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PDF | download image[1] View of the Town of Boston
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
A View of the Town of Boston
[1774]; sheet: (bound; 33.5 x 22.1 cm). plate: (26.3 x 16.7 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 31. Link to Brigham.Frontispiece engraving for the January 1774 (opposite page 7) issue of the Royal American Magazine. See other views of Boston in Box 2 Folder 1 as well as cut in Almanac in Engraved Illustrations and Cuts in Lead. Image features a scenic view of Boston Harbor with numerically-labeled places, buildings, wharfs, boats and ships. A ribbon scroll at the top reads “A view of the Town of Boston with several ships of war in the harbour.” Central is the Long Wharf jetting out into the water. To the left is the South Battery labeled with “E” and to the right is the North Battery labeled with a “C.” On the last page of the issue (40) is a key which reads “Explanation to the view of Boston. A. Long Wharf B. Hancock's Wharf. C. North Battery. D. South Battery. E. Fort Hill. F. Wheelwright's Wharf G. Beach Hill. H. Hubbard's Wharf. I. Hollaway's Ship-Yard K. Walker's Ship-Yard L. Tyler's Ship-Yard M. N. Island Wharfs. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 Ships of War. 9 and 10. armed Schooners.” Note: Engraving has been cut and pasted onto a separate sheet. Outside border reads “Vol. 1 No. 1” in the upper left hand corner.
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PDF | download image[2] Thunder Storm
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
The Thunder Storm
[1774]; sheet: (bound; 19.9 x 12.5 cm). plate: (17.5 x 11.7 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 32. Link to Brigham.An engraved plate with border for the Royal American Magazine (opposite page 26 of the January 1774 issue). Above text reads “Vol. 1” to the left and “No. II” to the right as well as “P. Revere sculp” below. Image features a vertical genre print of an outdoor scene where a woman, using her petticoat apron, shields a sleeping man. He is leaning against a bush by a stream with a small waterfall cascading over rocks. The man has his elbow leaning against the bush and his hand under his chin looking to the right; he is wearing a coat, waistcoat, cravat, wig, breeches, stockings and shoes with buckles. The woman is wearing a low-cut stomacher, gown and lace cap. She is standing behind the bush and looking down to the man she is protecting. To the right is a rolling landscape with shafts of wheat. To the left are several tall, full trees. In the distance is a grove of trees and a castle which is being struck multiple times by lightening. In the foreground to the left are plants with large leaves. Above the scene are gathered clouds with several bolts of lightening striking in several directions.
[3] Wilbraham Wentworth
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
Sir Wilbraham Wentworth
[1774]; sheet: (bound; 20.9 x 13 cm). plate: (17.5 x 12.1 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 33. Link to Brigham.An engraved plate with a border for the Royal American Magazine (frontispiece for the February 1774 issue). Above text reads “Vol. 1” to the left and “No. III” to the right as well as “P Revere Sculp” beneath. Image features a vertical full portrait of a contemplative man sitting on a bench in an outdoor scene. To his left is a columned, dome structure and in the distance are mountains, clouds and a large tree with a thick trunk. Underneath the bench to the right is a sleeping, spotted dog with long ears. The man has one gloved hand leaning against an arm of the chair holding onto an additional glove. His other hand is placed on his knee. He is wearing buckled shoes, breeches, stockings, an overcoat, vest, floral cravat and tri-corn hat. His hair is tied back in a ponytail. A profile of the man’s clean-shaven youthful face is visible looking towards the ground. Attached to his waist is a handled sword and sheath. Note: left hand corner is trimmed.
[4] John Hancock
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
The Hon.ble John Hancock, Esqr.
[1774]; sheet: (bound; 22 x 12.7 cm). plate: (19 x 12 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 34. Link to Brigham.Engraved bust portrait of John Hancock (1737-1793) inset in a shaded oval for the Royal American Magazine (frontispiece for the March 1774 issue). The oval has an ornamental Chippendale-style border and is flanked by figures. The figures are of a British soldier, beneath the oval, from the 29th-regiment holding a snake; he is being stepped on by a lion. His hat reads “GR” on the top and “XXIX” on the brim. The lion is looking above to a figure of Liberty with partially-exposed chest and liberty cap on pole in her hand. Next to her is an allegory of Fame, a winged angel blowing a horn to the right. Furthest to the left is a soldier in armor with a beard, spear, sword and shield. His arm is on the portrait of Hancock. Beneath is a rolled copy of the Magna Charta. The portrait itself shows Hancock looking left with his head turned towards the viewer. He is wearing an overcoat, vest, tight-fitting cravat and wig. His face is youthful and clean-shaven. Text at top reads “No. V Engraved for Royl American Magazine Vol. I” and beneath “The Hon. ble John Hancock Esqr.” Beneath the portrait is Revere’s signature “P Revere Sc” Note: the plate has been trimmed on the left.
[5] Samuel Adams
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
Mr. Samuel Adams.
[1774]; sheet: (bound; 22.4 x 13.5 cm). plate: (18.2 x 12.2 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 34A. Link to Brigham.Engraved bust portrait of Samuel Adams (1722-1803) inset in a shaded oval for the Royal American Magazine (frontispiece for the April 1774 issue). The oval has an ornamental Chippendale-style border and is flanked by figures. The figures are of a British soldier, beneath the oval, from the 29th-regiment holding a snake. He is being stepped on by an allegorical figure of America with a spear pointed downward. She is wearing a feathered helmet and has a large, protruding bosom. To her left is a shield with a face upon it with snakes for hair, possibly Medussa. To the far left is an allegorical figure of Liberty in robes with her breast exposed. She has a liberty pole and cap and is standing atop a volume labeled “Laws to Enslave America.” Between the two is Fame, a winged angel with her trumpet pointed left. Beneath the portrait is a rolled copy of the Magna Charta. The portrait features Adams facing the viewer, head slightly right wearing an overcoat, cravat and vest; he has a curled wig. Page is engraved at top “No VII Engrvd for Royal American Magazine Vol. 1. And beneath “Mr. Samuel Adams” the image is signed beneath “P Revere Scp.”
[6] Able Doctor
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
The able Doctor, or America Swallowing the Bitter Draught.
[1774]; sheet: (bound; 12.5 x 20.9 cm). plate: (11.9 x 17.9 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 35. Link to Brigham.
- Source: English
- Plate for book/periodical
- Historic event
- Caricatures, Cartoons and Satires
- Allegory
- Violence/death
Engraved political cartoon for the Royal American Magazine (frontispiece for the June 1774 issue). Image features an allegory of America being forced down on a beach. America, a Native American woman in robes with her bare chest exposed is being forced to drink tea; she is vomiting liquid into the air. Her left arm is being pinned down by a man in clerical robes, the Chief Justice Mansfield. A man, Prime Minister Lord North, wearing an overcoat, breeches, cravat and wig with a large belly is pouring the kettle labeled “Tea” and holding his hand against her throat. Coming out of his pocket is a slip of paper which reads “Boston Port Bill.” Torn apart on the ground is a paper reading “Boston Petition.” To the left are two conversing figures, representations of France and Spain, pointing to the Port Bill. On the ground is a third man, Lord Sandwich, peering up America’s skirt and holding down her ankles. Behind them is an allegory of Britannia with shield and spear covering her face with her hand. To the far right is a man in a hat brandishing a sword labeled “Military Law.” Behind them in the distance are war ships and a view of the buildings of Boston labeled “Boston cannonaded.” Note: see British version of print in the European Political Print Collection.
[7] Hooded Serpent
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
The Hooded Serpent.
[1774]; sheet: (22.2 x 14.5 cm). plate: (17.5 x 12 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 36. Link to Brigham.Engraved interior page for The Royal American Magazine opposite page 224 for the June 1774 issue. The image features a snake, likely a cobra, with spots and a diagonal, diamond pattern on its skin. The large hood or cap hallows the head. The snake has a human-like face and is standing erect, looking at the viewer, its tail coiled to the left. Note: image is not signed. See similar image in Box 1 Folder 2.
[8] Spanish Treatment
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
Spanish treatment at Carthagena.
[1774]; sheet: (20.1 x 12.5 cm). plate: (16.5 x 11.5 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 37. Link to Brigham.Engraved plate for the Royal American Magazine (frontispiece for the July 1774 issue). Image features an exterior view of Spaniards and their prisoners on a brick turret or dock at a seaport in Carthagena (i.e. Cartagena) Columbia. Image features five prisoners, shackled in chains, being tormented and abused by their two captors. The captors are moustached Spaniards, well-dressed in breeches, overcoats, capes and hats with feathers. The prisoners are barefoot and poorly dressed. One older man with a beard is lying on the ground, central in the scene, holding a trowel and looking distressed at the sight of the Spaniard’s handled, spurred, three-tailed whip; next to him is an additional older man being flogged. To the far left are two young prisoners, one with a three-sided brick hood and trowel, the other with a shovel. Behind them to the left are three large ships, one with two smaller vessels unloading men and supplies. Flying on masts of the two ships in the distance are flags, likely the Cross of Burgundy. On shore, to the right, is a large, fortified, military battery with a central circular structure and several smaller buildings in the seaport; a central flag is flying. Visible are outlines of several figures on the shore, some are also being flogged. Engraved text at top reads “No XII Engrav’d for Royal American Magazine. Vol. I” and beneath “P Revere Sc.” in the lower right.
[9] Salt Petre
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
The Method of Refining Salt-Petre.
[1774]; sheet: (13 x 21.9 cm). plate: (11 x 17 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 38. Link to Brigham.Engraved plate for the Royal American Magazine featuring an interior view of two men making gunpowder (opposite page 285 of the August 1774 issue). Appears under the title “The Nature, Properties and Uses of Nitre or Salt-petre, explained: Together with the Method of extracting it from the Earth, and refining it from its Impurities.” The separate elements of the structure are labeled with both numbers and letters. Nearest the ceiling, of post-and-beam style, is a sloping roof and the labels “9” and “10” which are described as “the flue or chimney under which the furnaces are erected and of which four are represented.” A large doorway to the right, labeled “G” is the “door to the refining-house.” The two men are standing under an overhang, scooping refined matter into large wooden tubs onto flat, semi-circular shaped surface. The man in the foreground is pouring liquid into a bucket labeled “Fig 1” with a large ladle with a long handle. Behind him are two barrels labeled “T” and described: “Represents a tub, in which that part of the Salt-petre is put which has any foulness on it. Near the tub is a basket, for receiving the dross or foulness that rises on the Salt-petre, when in a liquid state. The fine particles run through the wickerwork back into the furnace.” The man is described as: “Represents a workman lading the melted Salt-petre out of a furnace into a large copper-pan, placed before him for that purpose. This is the last operation and is what the Refiners call roaching the salt-petre.” The two posts next to him are described as “the two posts that support the flue.”
The figure to his right, another man, is covering a tub with the flat end of a skimmer attached to the end of a long pole. He is labeled “Fig 2” and is described: “Represents a workman skimming the liquid Salt-petre in the furnace and throwing the scum into a basket, placed on a wooden frame to receive it.” The basket is labeled “X.” To the right is a doorway with a post structure labeled “a” described as “An axis in peritrochio, for drawing up the refined Salt-petre into the loft over the refining house.” Note: Brigham did not identify the source of this print in his text Paul Revere’s Engravings. Plate is originally from the Universal Magazine from 1773 [source not in Brigham]. [click here for plate explanation].
[10] Mitred Minuet
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
The Mitred Minuet.
[1774]; sheet: (14.5 x 23.2 cm). plate: (11.9 x 18.2 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 39. Link to Brigham.Engraving (opposite page 365 of the October 1774 issue) of the Royal American Magazine of a political cartoon featuring four bishops dancing with their hands touching and wearing miters and long robes; on the floor between them is a paper entitled “Quebec Bill.” To the left is a Scotsman with kilt and bagpipes and two other men Lord North and Lord Bute, North pointing at the bishops. There is a devil with horns and wings to the left hovering over the scene and pointing to his nose. Additional men in clerical robes are seated to the right against a paneled wall conversing. Image is bordered and signed in lower right “P Revere Sc.” Above engraved text reads “No XV Engrav’d for Royal American Magazine” See British print in the European Political Prints Collection.
[11] Gerbua
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
The Gerbua or Yerboa.
[1774]; sheet: (23.9 x 15 cm). plate: (18.6 x 10.6 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 40. Link to Brigham.Engraved plate for the Royal American Magazine opposite page 407 for the November 1774 issue; also title opposite the “Russian Rabbit.” Image features a bordered scene of three jerboas in a landscape. In the foreground is a large jerboa facing left with mouse-like features including beady eyes, whiskers, a long tail and long nails. Behind him and to the left is a jumping jerboa and to the right a jerboa eating a plant. In the distance are hills. Image is signed beneath border “P Revere sc.” See similar plate in Box 1 Folder 3.
[12] Mme Clairon
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
Mme Clairon [Mademoiselle Clairon]
[1774]; sheet: (23.7 x 15 cm). plate: (17.5 x 10.9 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 41. Link to Brigham.Engraved plate for the Royal American Magazine (plate opposite page 421 of the November 1774 issue). Image features an allegorical scene inset in a heavily bordered frame with elements of Chippendale style. Atop the frame is a vine with numerous flowers and leaves. Inside are two figures in a rolling landscape. The figures are Mlle Clairon (1723-1803) the actress, kneeling before a figure, perhaps Apollo or another female figure, who is crowing her with a laurel wreath. The figure crowning her is also wearing a laurel wreath as well as robes; he has in the crook of his right arm two spears with a crown. Between them, on a rock, are four large volumes labeled Crebillon, Voltaire, Racine and Corneille. Clairon has in her right hand a handkerchief and her left arm is extended. She is wearing elaborate robes which are embroidered, have cords and dressings; her hair is pinned back. In the distance is Pegasus, a winged flying horse next to a columned circular structure, perhaps the ruin of a small theatre. To the left is a rolled scroll on the ground. Text at top reads “Engrd for Roy’s Americ Mag Vol. I No. XVII” and beneath “P Revere Sc” as well as the text “Mademoiselle Clairon.” Note: AAS has two copies of this plate in the Royal American Magazine [click here for copy 2 from bound volume].
[13] Colonel Bouquet
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
Colonel Bouquet.
[1774]; sheet: (20.9 x 13.1 cm). plate: (17.6 x 10.5 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 42. Link to Brigham.Engraved plate for the Royal American Magazine (opposite page 449 of the December 1774 issue). The image features a scene where Native American representatives and chiefs including the Senecas, Delawares and Shawnees, to the right, sit gathered conferring with colonial Americans to the left. The men are partially enclosed in a post-and-beam structure, a bower; the background of the colonials is wood, of the Native Americans, the open outdoors, tents and trees. Between the two groups is a smoking fire. The image represents the 1764 conference of Bouquet with the Indians. One Native American standing, is holding onto a wampum belt with his right arm into the air pointing; he is wearing a headdress and earring. Behind him is a man smoking a pipe seated on the ground. To the left is Colonel Henry Bouquet (1719-1765) and four apprehensive looking men in colonial dress with tri-corn hat, breeches, overcoat and cravat. One leans on a sword, one sits on a stool and one is writing and recording in a ledger or book. The entire scene is enclosed in a Chippendale style border. Text below reads “A Conference held between some Indian Chiefs and Colonel Bouquet in the Year 1764.” And at the top “Engd for Vol. I Royl Amern Mag. No. XIX.” Plate is signed in the lower right “P Revere Sc.”
[14] Bees
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
Bees.
[1774]; sheet: (21.5 x 12.5 cm). plate: (11.5 x 19.2.5 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 43. Link to Brigham.Engraved plate for the Royal American Magazine featuring a labeled image of a beehive, bees and a description of their behavior while at rest (plate opposite 462 of the December 1774 issue). Text at top reads “Vol. I Engrav’d for Royal American Magazine. No. XVIII.” The figure are labeled 1-9; text relating to the plate is on pages 465-71 of the volume. The figures are described as follows: Figure 1 “Is the queen bee” featuring an image of the insect in the upper left. Below that is Figure 2 “Is the drone” with long wings. Beneath that is Figure 3 “Is the working bee” with an image of the small bee and beneath that Figure 5 “The proboscis or trunk, which is one of the principal organs of the bees, wherewith they gather the honey and take their nourishment” with a detail of the trunk of the insect. In the middle is a rod with numerous bees attached to each other labeled Figure 4 and described as “Represents the bees hanging to each other by their feet, which is their method of taking their repose” beneath that to the right is Figure 6 “One of the hind legs of a working bee, loaded with wax” with a detail of the leg, and at the bottom Figure 9 “A similar comb [to Figure 8] in which the royal cell is fixed in the middle of the comb; and several common cells are sacrificed to serve as a basis and support it. In general the royal cells are suspended on the side of a comb, as in fig 7, 8. To the side of fig 9 two royal cells are begun, when they resemble pretty much the cup in which an acorn lies. The other cells have the young queens in them.” The image is of a wide comb with two half-cells to the left and a tubular shape in the middle.
In the upper right hand corner is a honeycomb with a seed-shaped cell to the left. There are also several small circles/cells inside the comb. It is described as “A comb in which the working bees are bred. The cells are the smallest of any. Two of them have the young bees inclosed [sic]. A royal cell is suspended on one side.” Beneath that is a longer cone with two cells to the left labeled Figure 8. It is described as “A comb in which the drones are bred, being larger than the former; the young drones being included in several of them; with two royal cells, suspended on the side.” The nine separate figures are inset within a border.
[15] Cabinet Junto
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
A certain Cabinet Junto.
[1775]; sheet: (12.6 x 20.5 cm). plate: (11.5 x 19.2.5 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 44. Link to Brigham.Engraved political cartoon for the Royal American Magazine (frontispiece to the January 1775 issue). Bordered image features King George III seated in an armed, backed chair flanked by fleur-de-lis to the right. Behind the chair is a man, possibly Lord Bute, stating “Take courage my good prince Charles.” Two other men at the table converse with the King. Seated to the left is Lord North who is holding “A Bill” which reads “for the total abolition of Civil & Religs liberty in America.” In his pocket is a copy of the “Treaty of Alli[ance] with France and Spa[in]” sticking out. He states “This will quell the rebels.” To his right a man in clerical robes states, “America is within the realm.” He holds in his left hand an “Act for murdering the Bo[ston].” They are wearing elaborate overcoats, sashes and ruffles; on the breeches of the King’s leg is the word “Hone.” The King and the man behind him have stars on their coats. The third man is likely Charles Fox (1749-1806).
To the far left is an allegorical representation of Liberty seated with cap and pole to her right. She is shielding her breast. She is separated from the conversing men on her own parcel of land; bow and arrows with quiver at her feet. She states “Lord thou didst drive out the heathen before us, our hope is in thee.” She is speaking upwards to the left towards clouds, which open with the text “I have delivered and I will deliver.” Beneath her robes is the shadowed shield of Britannia. Image is engraved at top “Vol. II Engraved for Royal American Magazine. No I” and below “A certain Cabinet Junto.” “P Revere Sc” is to the lower right.
[16] History of Lauretta
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
History of Lauretta.
[1775]; sheet: (22.2 x 12.5 cm). plate: (17.5 x 11.5 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 45. Link to Brigham.Engraved plate for the Royal American Magazine (opposite page 49 of the February 1775 issue) the literary story “History of Lauretta: A Moral Tale” which is on pages 49-54 of the periodical. Image features an exterior scene where two men, one identified by the tale as “Bagil” stand before a church with steeple alongside a tree with a vine. Story identifies scenery as France. Kneeling before an older man is a young man with sword drawn and pointed towards the ground. He is wearing a tri-corn hat, elaborate overcoat, cravat and breeches; his hair is tied back. An older man stands to his right pointing downward. He is wearing a hat, coat, vest, breeches and holds onto his vest; there is a shovel at his feet. Behind the two is a woman watching; she is wearing a gown, cloak and mob cap. Behind the group is a long fence and grove of trees. Bordering the image is an elaborate Chippendale style border. At the top is a quiver with arrows, flowers and ribbon scroll; text reads “Eng’d for Royal American Mag and beneath No II Vol II.” At the bottom engraved script reads “History of Lauretta” with flowers and in the lower right “P Revere Sc.”
[17] America in Distress
From Reserve Collection [click for book record; Reserve 1775]
America in Distress.
[1775]; sheet: (21 x 12.5 cm). plate: (17.4 x 11.5 cm). Link to record.
Brigham plate 46. Link to Brigham.Engraved plate for the Royal American Magazine (frontispiece for the March 1775 issue) featuring a political cartoon with an allegory of America and eight British men, lords and statesmen surrounding her. America is dressed in robes with exposed chest and liberty pole and cap tucked into the crook of her arm. There is a Native American headdress, bow, arrows, and quiver at her feet; she is fainting and leaning backwards. Her head is resting on the Marquis of Rockingham who holds onto her wrist with one hand and brandishes an axe in the other. He states, “This is the proper fee for such a Physician.” Behind him, the Earl of Chatham exclaims “Poor America!” To his left is the Earl Temple in wig stating “They will ruin her Constitution.”
On America’s left are five additional figures. Chaining her to a pedestal is Lord North who says “She is Mad & must be Chained!” Behind him is Lord Bute, with a hand on North’s shoulder in Highland dress stating, “Secure Her now, or it is all over with Us.” To his left is the Lord Mansfield in clerical dress and wig with a dagger stating “She must lose more Blood. Petitions are Rebellious.” Behind him, with a hand on Mansfield’s shoulder is the Governor Thomas Hutchinson who says, “Right my Lord. Penalties of that kind seem best adapted.” Kneeling at the feet of America is a man and a rolled petition reading “Petition of all England & America. Against evil Physicians corrupt members & wicked Councellors.” The cartoon’s is bordered and reads at the top “Vol. II Engraved for Royal American Magazine No. III” and beneath “America in Distress.” The image is signed in the lower right “P Revere Sc.”
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