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Post by iswscwebmaster on Dec 23, 2021 19:55:09 GMT
Completed in 1783, John Copley's The Death of Major Peirson, 6 January 1781 was featured on 4 Stamps and a Souvenir Sheet issued by Jersey Post to commemorate the Battle of Jersey.
This is one of my favourite issues and I like the realism in the artwork. The painting is in the Tate Gallery.
The Battle of Jersey was fought between the French and British on January 6th 1781. The French forces under the command of Baron de Rollecourt landed on the 4th and 5th of January and made their way to St. Helier (the Capital of Jersey) and set up defensive positions in the market while the inhabitants slept. During the morning of the 6th, a French patrol surrounded Government House and the Governor of Jersey was captured and coerced into signing a capitulation document.
The British forces failing to recognize the Governors capitulation now under the command of Major Peirson organized an attack that according to most accounts lasted about 15 minutes leading to a French defeat. During the battle Major Peirson was shot through the heart and died.
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REL1948
Member 
Posts: 773 
What I collect: 1840-Pre-Decimal, GB and Colonies, 1840 1 penny reds, British Empire Postal History, Switzerland Postal History
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Post by REL1948 on Dec 23, 2021 20:31:36 GMT
Completed in 1783, John Copley's The Death of Major Peirson, 6 January 1781 was featured on 4 Stamps and a Souvenir Sheet issued by Jersey Post to commemorate the Battle of Jersey.
This is one of my favourite issues and I like the realism in the artwork. The painting is in the Tate Gallery.
The Battle of Jersey was fought between the French and British on January 6th 1781. The French forces under the command of Baron de Rollecourt landed on the 4th and 5th of January and made their way to St. Helier (the Capital of Jersey) and set up defensive positions in the market while the inhabitants slept. During the morning of the 6th, a French patrol surrounded Government House and the Governor of Jersey was captured and coerced into signing a capitulation document.
The British forces failing to recognize the Governors capitulation now under the command of Major Peirson organized an attack that according to most accounts lasted about 15 minutes leading to a French defeat. During the battle Major Peirson was shot through the heart and died.
Hello Alyn, I love this painting too. I've been a fan of John Singleton Copley since I was young. We have his original painting of "Watson and the Shark" at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The theme caught the eye of a young boy and I've admired his works ever since. "The Death of Major Peirson" is another wonderful painting with its somewhat larger than life flags (nationalism) or the sense of fluid movement in the onlookers and fallen soldiers. This was one battle in the Revolution that Britain won handily over the French only to lose their commander in the wake. Rob |
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Post by dgdecker on Dec 23, 2021 20:53:03 GMT
I would love to see this work of art. I can say this has been my history lesson for today.
David
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brightonpete
Departed
Rest in Peace
On a hike at Goodrich-Loomis
Posts: 5,110
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Post by brightonpete on Dec 23, 2021 22:00:53 GMT
Of the few items from my Jersey collection that I sold years ago, that is still with me.
I love that one too!
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