Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

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Showing results 1 - 19

[24 October 1781]

Trumbull, Jonathan (1740-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Details on British standards (flags) captured at Yorktown]

The "Standards" cited were the 18 German and 6 British regimental flags captured at Yorktown. Date inferred from content.

GLC02437.00866

1782

Trumbull, John (1750)

Book

Title: M'Fingal: A modern epic poem [signed by Samuel Jones]

Signed by New York Jurist and patriot Samuel Jones. First complete edition, printed by Hudson and Goodwin. Collateral to John Adams ALS to John Trumbull, GLC 1228.

GLC01865

6 June 1783

Trumbull, John (1756-1843)

Print

Title: General Washington

Black and white mezzotint published by Valentine Green. A portrait of young Washington based upon John Trumbull's painting.

GLC01855

20 June 1783

Trumbull, John (1756-1843)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

The brother of George Washington's secretary Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., and the celebrated painter of the Battle of Bunker Hill and The Declaration of Independence, expresses his regret on failing to meet the three years service required to join the Society of the Cincinnati, but hopes that he might possibly be considered as an applicant anyway. Also writes in praise of the society and asks that if he is admitted, to have his brother sign on his behalf. Place was added in another hand and at a later date.

GLC02437.02171

5 July 1783

Knox, Henry (1750-1806)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Trumbull

Written by Major General Knox to celebrated American artist Colonel John Trumbull. References Trumbull's letter of 20 June, which was delivered by his brother. Is glad he approves of the Society of the Cincinnati, and says he will be proposed for admission into the Connecticut branch at the next meeting. Says they might have been too hasty in the adoption of a medal. Describes it as "the Eagle with the emblems of cincinnati upon his breast.

GLC02437.02240

28 July 1783

Trumbull, Jonathan (1740-1809)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Jonathan Trumbull Jr., Washington's secretary, inquires about Sergeant Buell's return to the Army. Writes that although he doesn't have the power to extend Buell's furlough, he thinks it would be "perfectly agreeable to the Commander in chief's mind" if General Knox were to extend it.

GLC02437.02339

1785/04/28

Adams, John (1735-1826)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Trumbull re: desire for national poem; mentions M'Fingal

Mentions Trumbull's M'Fingal, a poem styled on Hudibras, the great poem by Butler concerning the English Civil Wars.

GLC01228

28 April 1790

Poggi, Anthony C. (fl. 1790-1791)

Document signed

Title: [Receipt]

Partially printed document with subsequent information written in by hand. Note of receipt to Henry Knox for three guineas for the subscription of two prints, one of the battle at Bunker Hill and the other of the death of General Richard Montgomery. Countersigned by the artist, John Trumbull.

GLC02437.08633

13 September 1791

Trumbull, John (1756-1843)

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Receipt for two prints]

Partially printed receipt for "Two Prints, one representing the Battle of Bunker's-Hill, and the other the Death of General Montgomery." States that Rufus G. Amory paid three guineas, half the price of these prints. Verso signed by Amory, stating he received the prints.

GLC02542.32.16

1792

Unknown

Manuscript document

Title: [Draft of a resolve]

Resolves regarding the paintings by John Trumbull, encouraging his endeavors. Date previously inferred, written in pencil. In a secretarial hand, with emendations in the hand of Henry Knox.

GLC02437.08076

1795

Trumbull, John (1750-1831)

Book

Title: M'Fingal: A modern epic poem [New York edition with engravings]

With nine copper-plate engravings. Signed on titlepage: "Soloman Williams'/1795." Collateral to John Adams ALS to John Trumbull, GLC 1228.

GLC00288

February 1798

Trumbull, John (1756-1843)

Print

Title: The Battle of Bunker's Hill

After the painting of John Trumbull. Engraving by Johann Gottfried von Muller. Published by A.C. de Poggi, in London.

GLC06579

15 June 1798

Trumbull, John (1756-1843)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

John Trumbull, the noted painter and former secretary to Washington, writes in detail, to Knox about new developments in artillery that might prove helpful in the impending war against France. Noted as written at 72 Welbeck Street in London, England.

GLC02437.07148

8 May 1819

Whitney, Eli (1765-1825)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Trumbull

Whitney, noted for his invention of the cotton gin, writes to Colonel John Trumbull, an established artist residing in New York City. Introduces Trumbull to Lucius Manson, a young, self-taught artist from New Haven, Connecticut, who will soon visit New York. Requests that Trumbull assist and encourage Manson in his artistic pursuits.

GLC02480.19

1823/07/15

Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Trumbull re: his engraving "Declaration of Independence", Univ. of Va.

With integral address leaf, free franked. Docketed by recipient. Jefferson agrees to subscribe to a copy of Trumbull's engraving of the signing of Declaration (Staufer 679) and also orders a print of Washington's resignation. He invites Trumbull to see the new University of Virginia and review his drawings for the Rotunda. Jefferson suggests an engraving of the University (never made) and extends his warm wishes to Trumbull. One engraving, "The Declaration of Independence", included.

GLC02483

November 28, 1826

Trumbull, John (1756-1843)

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Bulfinch

Listing titles for Trumbull's four existing Revolutionary War paintings in the rotunda of the Capitol and four he proposed to create for the rotunda's empty recesses. The extant paintings depicted Independence Day, Saratoga, York Town, and Annapolis. Trumbull was not commissioned for the proposed paintings of Bunker Hill, Quebec, Trenton, and Princeton.

GLC02510

1852

Currier, Nathaniel (1813-1888)

Print

Title: Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga N.Y. Oct. 17th 1777

Created by Currier as a lithograph of the painting by John Trumbull, which hangs in the U.S. Capital Building. Signature in lower right corner of lithograph says "O. Knursch 1852." Fine print below the picture says "Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1852 by N. Currier, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Southern District N.Y." Also says it is published by Currier and provides his address. Depicts the surrender of General John Burgoyne, in the left foreground, to General Horatio Gates, in the right foreground.

GLC03567

1861-1877

Trumbull, John, (1756-1843)

Engraving

Title: Battle of Bunker Hill

One engraving entitled, "Battle of Bunker Hill" circa 1861-1877. Depicts the death of General Joseph Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 18, 1775. In the center of the paiting General Joseph Warren collapses in the arms of a fellow American who pushes away the incoming bayonett of a British officer. On the right side of the painting an enlisted African American man stands behind a British solider. Caption notes "from the celebrated picture by Trumbull." Engraver unknown.

GLC08878.0050

1861-1877

Rogers, John, (fl. 1860)

Engraving

Title: [Portraits of John Trumbull, Daniel Boone, Benjamin Rush, John Eager Howard and William Pinkney]

One untitled engraving circa 1861-1877. Portraits of John Trumbull, Daniel Boone, Benjamin Rush, John Eager Howard, and William Pinkney. Engraved by John Rogers.

GLC08878.0095

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