Print, The BOSTONIAN'S Paying the EXCISE-MAN, or TARRING & FEATHERING

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  • Attributed to: Philip Dawe Publisher: Sayer & Bennett
  • London, England
  • October 31, 1774
  • Black and White Mezzotint with Period Hand Color
  • 1960-126

The lower margin reads: "The BOSTONIANS Paying the EXCISE-MAN, of TARRING & FEATHERING/ Plate I./ London Printed for Rob.t Sayer & J. Bennett, Map & Printseller, N.o 69, Fleet Street as the Act directs 31, Oct.r 1774."

This print depicts John Malcomb, a British customs official in Boston, being tarred and feathered. The Liberty Tree becomes the gallows in the print, and the tar bucket and dabbler can be seen in the lower left corner, Malcolm is depicted spewing out the tea that he is being forced to drink. The background vignette is of the Boston Tea Party in progress.

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