LITHOGRAPH OF THE BURNING OF THE THEATER IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, ON THE NIGHT OF 26 DECEMBER 1811. THE THEATER IS ABLAZE. FIRE ROARS FROM THE WINDOWS, SCREAMING PEOPLE JUMP FROM WINDOWS, RUN FROM THE BUILDING.
[Philadelphia? 1812?]. 11" x 15", thick paper board. Hand-colored lithograph of the well-known tragedy of the burning of the Richmond theater. Unsigned and uninitialed. Amazing details, including terrified expressions of the victims. Minor corner wear. Near Fine.
Some copies of the aquatint were published with a border caption, "The Burning Of The Theatre In Richmond, Virginia, On The Night Of The 26th December 1811/ by which awful calamity upwards of ONE HUNDRED of its most valuable Citizens suddenly lost their lives and many others were much injured/ published Feby 25th 1812 by B. Tanner No 74 South 8th St. Philadelphia." It was described by historian Meredith Henne Baker as "early America's first great disaster.
The Fire occurred when a lit chandelier was raised at the end of the first act of the second play, setting fire to the scenery and roof. Many attendees were trapped in theater boxes or collapsing staircases. Some people jumped from windows in often vain attempts to escape. Of the more than 600 people that were in attendance, 72 were killed, including Gov. George W. Smith, elected Virginia's governor just three weeks earlier; former U.S. Senator Abraham B. Venable; at least 54 women and many of Richmond's elites. ["Richmond Theatre Fire", Encyclopedia Virginia website, accessed Dec. 13, 2024.]
Benjamin Tanner [1775–1848], an American engraver from New York City, settled in Philadelphia about 1799. In 1811, he and his brother Henry established a general engraving and map publishing business. ["Tanner, Vallance, Kearny, & Company to Thomas Jefferson, 1 August 1817", Founders Online website, accessed Dec.13, 2024; "Benjamin Tanner", Mount Vernon Museum website, accessed Dec. 13, 2024.]. Item #40657
Price: $1,500.00