To George Washington from Edward Savage, 6 October 1793
From Edward Savage
London Oct. 6. 1793
Sir,
I have taken the Liberty to send two prints, the one Done from the Portrait I first Sketch’d in black Velvet, Labours Under Some Disadvantages, as the Likeness never was quite Finished. I hope it will meet with the approbation of yourself and Mrs Washington, as it is the first I Ever published in that method of Engraving.1
the Portrait of Docter Franklin which is published as the Companion, is Done from a picture in the Possesion of Mr West, President of the Royal Accademy.2
The picture has been Done Some years, and was thought very like at the time when Done.
I have the pleasure to inform you that Booth of those prints are approoved of by the artists, Particularly Mr West, whose Friendship and Sivility I have the Honr to Receive. I am Sir With great Esteem your Humbl. Sert
Ed. Savage.
N.B. Please to present my Most Respectfull Compliments to Mrs Washington.
I Expect to imbark for my Native Country about March Next.
ALS, DLC:GW. The cover is addressed to GW “through the hands of Berry Rogers & Berry of New York,” a firm of booksellers and stationers.
1. The 1793 mezzotint portrait of GW by Savage can be found in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery (see frontispiece).
2. Benjamin West (1738–1820), the famous historical painter born in America, had succeeded to the presidency of the Royal Academy at London in 1792, and he remained in that position, with the exception of one year, until 1820. The portrait that Savage used for his 1793 mezzotint of Benjamin Franklin apparently was done from a portrait by West that used a painting by David Martin as its source. A Savage mezzotint of Franklin is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery.