Attributed by author H. R. Collins to Pennsylvania's Germantown Print Works, circa 1806, in Threads of History (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1979), being a copperplate engraving printed on cotton cloth, the left panel is titled "The Love of Truth Mark the Boy" and shows young George explaining himself as regards the doomed cherry tree of popular legend, additional printed verse underscores Washington's lifelong commitment to honesty come what may; the right panel is titled "The Effect of Principle Behold the Man" above a portrait of Washington after Gilbert Stuart that is flanked by an excerpt from the president's Farewell Address of 1796 on the left and a brief eulogy on the right, below are an American eagle, the British lion, and two peaceful sailing ships beneath the optimistic words "Commercial Union."; the fabric has a colorful quilted backing with two blank squares being signed and dated "Jane West 1840" and "Margaret Davidson 1840" respectively. Presented in a two-sided wooden frame having a figured maple veneer on the front and two brass suspension loops on the top edge.

Image size 11.75 x 22 5/8 in.; Frame dimensions 14 5/8 x 25 5/8 in.

This is an extremely rare example of both Washington kerchiefs still together and uncut as printed over two hundred years ago. Already scarce by any standard, these historic textiles are almost always seen as individual units. Dealer James E. Arsenault of Maine references another uncut example held by the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland, Ohio.

Subtle diagonal creases to the face from sewing on the quilt backing; generally clean with very light age toning; really in exceptional condition in comparison to other surviving examples of this textile.

$1,000 - 2,000