Great Seal of King George I Engraving – Harrison’s History of England 1786
€ 510
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1786
Publisher
Harrison’s History of England, 1786, London
Technique
Copperplate engraving with later hand coloring
Sheet size
42.2 × 24.8 cm (16.6 × 9.8 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-04883
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Condition summary: Good overall. Light toning and minor handling marks consistent with age. Rich coloring and clear impression.
About this sheet
Great Seal of King George I Engraving – Harrison’s History of England c.1775 This antique print shows the Great Seal of King George I, engraved for Harrison’s The History of England published in 1786. The top medallion depicts King George I enthroned with allegorical figures of Justice and Liberty by his side, while the lower medallion shows an equestrian portrait of the king riding powerfully in armor with a cityscape in the background, likely representing his authority over Britain and Hanover. Such seals were used to authenticate official documents, symbolizing royal legitimacy and state power.
This engraving is beautifully hand colored in golden hues, enhancing its regal symbolism and making it highly decorative. Prints like this are valued for their heraldic interest and historical connection to the Hanoverian dynasty. The engraver meticulously captured the fine details of the seal’s iconography, from the delicate inscriptions to the realistic rendering of robes, horses, and armor.
Condition summary: Good overall. Light toning and minor handling marks consistent with age. Rich coloring and clear impression.
Framing tips: This regal print will display elegantly with a gold leaf or antique gilt frame to echo the coloring of the seals, combined with a burgundy or dark forest green mount to complement the maroon background panel shown in the engraving. Alternatively, a classic black frame with a gold inner edge will create a refined historic presentation suitable for libraries, studies, or offices focused on English royal history and heraldry.
