292

(MILITARY--AMERICAN REVOLUTION.) Engraved portrait of James Armistead Lafayette, master spy for the Continental Army.

(MILITARY--AMERICAN REVOLUTION.) Engraved portrait of James Armistead Lafayette, master spy for the Continental Army. Stipple engraving, 7¼ x 6 inches; mounted on a scrapbook leaf, with pencil presentation inscription on verso. No place, circa 1820s or 1830s?

  • Notes: James Armistead Lafayette (circa 1748-1830) was a literate enslaved man in Virginia. When the British offered freedom to those willing to fight for the King, James joined their ranks as a double agent, feeding inside information from Benedict Arnold's camp to the Patriot side at great personal risk. After the war, when Virginia government offered freedom to those who fought in the Continental Army, James was denied freedom because he had not borne arms. General Lafayette intervened on his behalf with a note of support: "This is to certify that the bearer by the name of James has done essential services to me while I had the honour to command in this state. The intelligence from the ennemy's camps were industriously collected and more faithfully delivered. He perfectly acquitted himself with some important commissions I gave him, and appears to me entitled to every reward his situation can admit of. Done under my hand, Richmond, November 21st 1784. Lafayette." James was manumitted by a special act of the Virginia legislature in 1787, and he took Lafayette as his new surname as a tribute. When General Lafayette made his much-publicized tour of the United States in 1824, he spotted James in a Virginia crowd and stopped his carriage to embrace him.

    Printed below the portrait is a facsimile of the General's letter of support. We suspect this print dates from not long after General Lafayette's tour, which brought James a new measure of fame. The print was already regarded as "old" when a copy was presented to the Virginia State Library in 1875 (see the St. Louis Post-Dispatch of 8 April 1875). 3 institutional copies found, and none traced at auction.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

March 21, 2024 10:30 AM EDT
New York, NY, US

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $100,000:
30.00%
$100,001 - $1,000,000:
25.00%
$1,000,001+:
17.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000