1781 John Paul Jones Engraving
Engraved by Jean-Michel Moreau, 1781 - Frame: 10 x 8 inches; sight: 8 x 5¾ inches
 
A finely engraved eighteenth-century portrait of John Paul Jones, among the most celebrated naval commanders of the American Revolution. Issued in 1781 during the height of Jones’s international fame, the engraving reflects the widespread admiration generated by his daring naval victories against the British Royal Navy, particularly the celebrated engagement between the Bonhomme Richard and HMS Serapis in 1779.
 
Born in Scotland in 1747, Jones became one of the foundational figures of the United States Navy, earning enduring recognition for his aggressive tactics, determination, and symbolic role in establishing American naval power during the Revolution. His legendary declaration, “I have not yet begun to fight,” entered the mythology of the early republic and secured his lasting place among the heroes of American independence.
 
Condition: Excellent.