Gilbert Stuart. “William Bainbridge, Esqr., of the United States Navy.”
From The Port Folio. Philadelphia: 1813. 3 5/8 x 3. Stipple engraving by David Edwin. Very good condition.
Captain of the Constitution during the War of 1812, defeated HMS Java.
The Port Folio was a new type of American magazine, “Devoted to Useful Science, the Liberal Arts, Legitimate Criticism, and Polite Literature.” It was a product of the new century, appearing first in January 1801. It began as a weekly issue until 1809, when it became monthly until its demise at the end of 1827. The Port Folio contained numerous engraved illustrations, including a number depicting events and figures of the War of 1812. These engravings of current happenings on the battle front would have been fascinating to the readers at the time. They also give us a privileged contemporary view of those battles fought over a century and a half ago.