Description
Many early 19th century prints were made variously illustrating this battle known shorthand as the Constitution versus the Guerrière. The offered print is of note in that it was published in Philadelphia on September 21, 1812, just about a month after the battle. As such it is close to a contemporary account of the battle, issued for a patriotic public eager for more information about this important American war victory. Examples of this print are rare. We have located one institutional holding in the Naval Historical Center, Washington, D.C., United States Naval History and Heritage Command collection.
Information about the battle is given in the title and subtitle of the print in the lower margin: “Signal Naval Victory, Achieved by Capt. Hull, of the US Frigate Constitution, over H.B. Majesty’s Frigate Guerrière. Capt. Dacres; which terminated in the total destruction of the Enemy’s Ship, after a close Action of 30 Minutes.” Additional text in the lower margin provides other historical details: “Guerrière / 49 Guns / 15 Killed & wounded 24 missing”; “Constitution / 54 Guns / 7 Killed 7 wounded.”
During the War of 1812, British strategy included deploying its warships to blockade American ports and prevent goods from leaving or entering. On August 19, 1812, Captain Isaac Hull sailed the U.S.S. Constitution from Boston to attack the H.M.S. Guerriere, commanded by Captain James Dacres. The battle between them on August 19, 1812 was a crucial early victory for the United States. As one of the first major naval engagements of the conflict, it proved that the U.S. Navy was capable of challenging the British, whose fleet was considered the most powerful in the world This provided a much-needed morale boost, undermining the perception of British naval invincibility.
William Strickland was an American architect, artist, and engraver who played a key role in popularizing the Greek Revival style in the United States. Born in New Jersey, he initially trained under Benjamin Henry Latrobe, an influential neoclassical architect. Strickland began his career as an engraver and illustrator but soon shifted his focus to architecture, designing some of the most notable public buildings of his time, including the Second Bank of the United States in Philadelphia. His work extended beyond architecture, as he also created technical illustrations and engravings. Later in life, he moved to Tennessee, where he designed the Tennessee State Capitol, a project he oversaw until his death in 1854.
William Kneass was bron in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, training and working as an engraver in Philadelphia, specializing in bank notes and maps. In 1824, Kneass was appointed Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint. During his tenure, he refined and modified coin designs, overseeing the production of various U.S. coinage, including modifications to the Capped Bust and Classic Head designs. A stroke in 1835 limited his abilities, but he continued to hold this position until his death in 1840, with his assistants taking on much of the engraving work in his later years.
Full Transcription of Margin Titles and Text:
Signal Naval Victory, Achieved by Capt. Hull, of the US Frigate Constitution, over H.B. Majesty’s Frigate Guerrière. Capt. Dacres; which terminated in the total destruction of the Enemy’s Ship, after a close Action of 30 Minutes.
Philadelphia: W. Strickland and W. Kneass, September 21, 1812.
With descriptions of each frigate at left and right, including: “Guerrière / 49 Guns / 15 Killed & wounded 24 missing”; “Constitution / 54 Guns / 7 Killed 7 wounded.”
Condition: Generally very good, recently professionally cleaned and deacidified with light remaining, toning, wear, handling. Old vertical diagonal crease right side professionally flattened as backed on mulberry paper. Some remaining minor pale discoloration lower right.
References:
“USS Constitution captures HMS Guerriere, 19 August 1812 —
Prints and Drawings.” Ibiblio. https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/OnlineLibrary/photos/events/war1812/atsea/con-gu-g.htm (14 March 2025).
“USS Constitution Vs HMS Guerriere.” Naval History and Heritage Command. https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/art/exhibits/conflicts-and-operations/the-war-of-1812/uss-constitution-vs-hms-guerriere/signal-naval-victory.html. (14 March 2025).
“William Kneass.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Kneass (13 March 2025).
“William Strickland.” Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Strickland (13 March 2025).
