Overall: 84cm (33in) x 69cm (27.2in)
Artist’s proof mezzotint. Three quarter length portrait of Charles George Gordon. The upper mount with London publisher’s details and dated 1886 together with the copyright of the now defunct New York art dealership Knoedler & Co of New York and Stiebold & Co of Berlin. The lower mount bearing JDK Printsellers Association blind stamp; over the manuscript pencil proof signatures of the artist Alexander Melville, lower left, and engraver James Faed, lower right. The lower centre printed with a facsimile of a promissory note issued and guaranteed by Gordon in order to pay his troops and prevent hoarding.
‘Published March 15th 1886 by F. C. McQueen & Son 181 Tottenham Court Road, W. Stiebold & Co Berlin Knoedler & Co New York Copyright registered’ / Above the mezzotint ‘Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1886 by Messrs. Knoedler & Co. in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.’ Mezzotint 560 x 440mm.
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The present rare engraving is one of a run of 75 artist’s proof mezzotints. Other known versions of this image belong an additional run of 325 impressions issued prior to the engraver’s plate being destroyed. An example of the latter is in the National Army Museum (NAM. 1974-03-103-1). The latter is titled beneath the plate ‘General Charles George Gordon, C.B., R.E. / Writing his journal and last Despatch in his Palace at Kartoum. Decr 14th 1884.’ The present example, with its declared US and German copyright, is a testament to Gordon’s international status as a Christian martyr but also as a reflection of Western world’s widespread indignation towards the British Government and its indifference to his fate.
Gordon was sent to Khartoum in 1884 with instructions to evacuate the garrisons but was besieged before being able to do so. His final letter was sent on 15 December 1884 when he handed over his journal and final letters to the captain of the paddle-steamer Bordein on the last journey permitted by the Mahdi. Forty days later Gordon was killed by the Mahdist fanatics. The letter begins:
‘Kartoum 14.12.84
My dear Watson,
I think the games is up, and send Mrs Watson, you and Graham my adieux. We may expect a catastrophe in the town on or after 10 days' time? …’