Davis, Arthur "Thomas Penn Esq. one of the Proprietors of Pennsylvania 1751"

Arthur Davis (1712-1787). "Thomas Penn Esq. one of the Proprietors of Pennsylvania 1751." 

London: [1751]-late 19^th or early 20^th century re-strike on crisp, textured laid paper.  Mezzotint engraving by David Martin.  Large margins.  Two repaired tears in margins.  Print has been professionally conserved.  Else, very good condition. A/A 

This bust portrait print of Thomas Penn (1702-1775) is taken from a large full figure painting of Penn by Arthur Davis.  The painting and its companion portrait of his wife Juliana is in the collection of Philadelphia Museum of Art.  Penn is depicted standing in a door way and behind him is an open window with a vast view of the Pennsylvania countryside.  Thomas Penn was the son of William Penn the founder of the Province of Pennsylvania.  Upon his father's death in 1718, Thomas along with his two brothers, inherited the position of Proprietor of the Colony of Pennsylvania.  Thomas continued as a Proprietor until his death in 1775.  

The original printing plate was known to have existed in the late 19^th century.  See Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, (Vol.8; No. 4. pg. 258).  In addition, The Pennsylvania Society issued to its members in 1917 "a portrait of Thomas Penn... engraved on steel from a plate originally engraved by David Martin after a portrait painted by Arthur Davis in 1751."  Ref: Yearbook of the Pennsylvania Society, 1918.  p. 186.