Fine Etching Of New York’s Historic "Smokers’ Rebellion"

George Barrie, Philadelphia, 1880; Nineteenth century etching after the painting by George H. Boughton (1834-1905) depicting the "Smokers’ Rebellion" or "Pipe Plot" which took place in 1639 when a multitude of furious Knickerbockers sat themselves down in front of the house of governor Willem Kieft and stubbornly commenced a smoking marathon in defiance of his recently imposed tobacco ban. Kieft, first governor of New Amsterdam, proved himself to be a somewhat star crossed administrator, constantly at odds with his constituents and ultimately alienating even the board of directors of the Dutch West India Company responsible for his appointment. In the end, the colonists emerged victorious and Kieft was eventually removed from office. A complete description of the event is amusingly told by Washington Irving in his "History Of New York, From The Beginning Of The World To The End Of The Dutch Dynasty." A fine quality aquatint photogravure by Goupil & Cie. on 16 1/2" x 10 3/4" heavy wove paper with impressed plate mark and dated 1880. Image size 11" x 7", plate mark 12 5/16" x 8 7/8". Excellent condition, 3/8" closed edge tear in blank margin at top, 1/2" closed edge tear in blank margin at right, and a tiny pinhole at the very tips of the top corners, all well clear of the plate mark. Exceptionally clean and bright, with a full rich tonal range. A beautiful print of an historic moment in the annals of early New York.