RARE MARTHA WASHINGTON Chromo framed 1873Grandchildren

PLEASE ASK ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ITEM BEFORE YOU PLACE A BID. PLEASE READ ALL OF MY AUCTION AND ALL OF ITS TERMS BEFORE YOU PLACE A BID. BY BIDDING ON MY ITEM AND YOU WIN THIS AUCTION, YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU AGREE TO ALL OF MY TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL THE TERMS, PLEASE EMAIL ME FIRST, OR PLEASE DO NOT BID

Greetings from the beautiful mountains of Vermont and welcome to my auction:  You will be bidding on a very rare Chromolithograph made by the Charles Armstrong Co. of Boston Mass. 

printed across the bottom edge states "THE OLD ARM CHAIR ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS IN THE YEAR OF 1873 BY ARMSTRONG & CO. BOSTON AND IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRIAN AND CONGRESS WASHINGTON D.C."   I have done extensive research on this picture and believe it to be Martha Washington OUR FIRST ...FIRST LADY with her two grand children.  President and First Lady Washington had no children of their own together.  "Lady Washington"  was married first to Daniel Park Curtis and had 4 children two children died early.  Shortly after her husbands death she was married to George Washington who adopted the children.  Togther they raised Patsy and Jack.  In 1773 daughter Patsy died (age 26) and son Jacky returned home from College to comfort his Mother.  Later he married and had 6 children.  I believe in 1781 Jacky died while in  military duties  as Historians believe almost the same hour as George Washington won a Victory over the British.  Sadly after learning of the death of his adopted son he vowed "I will adopt his two youngest children as my own from this hour".  (They adopted all six but cared for the two youngest.}"Nelly" Eleanor Curtis Parker and George  "Wash" or "Tub" Parker Curtis.

The chair is carved 1776 in the top back.  I did some forensics research and  comparisons of many portraits of Martha Washington through the years.  I have never seen so many different renditions of one person(even eye color change?). Unfortunately we only have the portraits of various Artists and no real pictures to go by in comparison. Recently a new and beautiful First First Lady has come to light with the work of a Forensics Artist(very beautiful). You can do a Google search on Martha Washington and see the new younger  and very beautiful lady.

I could not find the artists signature.  I found this at a Church Rummage sale in Southern Vermont.  The woman in charge thought it looked like "Old Mother  Hubbard" and wanted to get it out of the attic. I just had to have it.  The frame was covered with thick dust, spider webs and top glass so dirty is was hard to see the picture.  I was thrilled when the  cracked glass was removed to see how  beautifully preserved it is.  The frame looks like it was once covered with gold there are a few specks of gold that show up in the light on areas where there are indentations.  The picture has a few very tiny hard to see scratches .  The back wire  is old and twisted but has been left as found.  The frame has some damage and chipped piecesand looks like it may have been antiqued at some time? 

Martha Washington Chairs have become a classic American item.  In the back of the picture is the soft almost illusion of a young man in Military Uniform. (Maybe George or their Son?)

The eyes of the lady are the first thing that caught my attention they are amazing.   I could feel her saddness and strength. I was impressed at how little I knew about our   INCREDIBLE FIRST, FIRST  LADY her talents and her accomplishments much to be admired. This is a  lady of  great means and children are dressed with fine clothing.

I wish my pictures had come out better it is a very beautiful picture.  Print is 13" x 16" and  frame is about 17.5" x 14 3/4".   I do believe this is the First Lady Martha Washington but I could not find any information  or documentation on this piece during my research?. I have included many pictures to help with identifcation.  There are  also  two # 5's   and a side ways mark like the  letter s.   written on the back in pencil? 

Briefly -- I have a SMOKE & PET FREE home!  I scour the world over for the unique items sold here on Ebay. Once in awhile, I will get something from a smoker, or a pet owner! I ALWAYS do my best to describe the item to the best of my abilities. 

Thank you.

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