Diploma of Joseph Ellis, Augusta Maine, April 23 1849

[Philadelphia], 1849. As issued.. Very good; wrinkling and inoffensive spotting; signatures yellowed and somewhat faded; a deep, crisp impression of the engraving. . A sheet of thick vellum meas. appx. 520 x 450 mm. Decorated with a large black & white engraving of the hospital building by Samuel Seymour [identified in type lower right]. The illustration meas. appx. 250 x 410 mm. Signed by William Malin, John Lewis and two others.

An attractive diploma, enhanced by Seymour's large, accomplished, and original engraved view of the Pennsylvania Hospital building done in 1811. Seymour worked with W R Birch in producing his famous illustrated book, The City of Philadelphia .... ("Birch's Views") but is best remembered for his pioneering work, along with Titian Peale, as official artist of the Long Expedition to the Missouri River in 1819 and the Platte River in 1820. Seymour was tasked to " ... furnish sketches of landscapes, whenever we meet with any distinguished for their beauty or grandeur... [and] to paint miniature likenesses, or portraits if required, of distinguished Indians, and exhibit groups of savages engaged in celebrating their festivals, or sitting in council, and in general illustrate any subject, that may be deemed appropriate to his art." The result was a series of iconic watercolors and paintings of Native Americans and the West. It is worth noting that the view of the hospital offered here was not part of Birch's original book. It is a separate rendering by Seymour (the book does contain an awkward, muted view of the landmark building). See Ewers, Artists of the Old West.