Description:

Gilbert du Motier Marquis de Lafayette
Richmond, VA, ca. October 15, 1824
"General La Fayette" Ball Invitation from Richmond, VA Dating From Lafayette's American Tour!
Invitation
An interesting piece of ephemera related to Gilbert de Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), and his triumphant return to the United States for the nation's 50th anniversary. The printed ticket reads: "The pleasure of your company is requested at the Ball, at the Eagle Hotel, to be given in honor of General La Fayette … Richmond, October 15, 1824." The names of 22 event managers, including Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court John Marshall and other prominent city and state politicians, appear in two columns at center. The name of the invitee, as "Col. Balling," appears in manuscript verso. Framed behind glass in a shadowbox frame with a cinnabar-colored velvet mat and a cutaway window showing the reverse of the invitation. Expected light wear including toning. Else near fine. Not examined out of the frame. The sight size of the invitation is approximately 4.5" x 2.45" while the overall frame measures 9.875" x 8.75" x 1.75."

The Marquis de Lafayette was invited to the United States by 5th U.S. President James Monroe and members of the U.S. Congress. During his extended American tour - from August 1824 to September 1825, excluding transatlantic travel time - Lafayette visited all 24 states and many major cities. His arrival electrified the local populace, which included many Revolutionary War veterans. Lafayette was in Virginia between October 17 and late November 1824, visiting among other places Richmond, Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Norfolk, Monticello, and Mount Vernon to salute Washington's tomb. The Richmond ball at the Eagle Hotel on October 15, 1824 actually predated the Marquis's arrival to the city; he arrived in Richmond about ten days later, staying there between October 25-November 2. Evidently the marquis could be feted even without being physically present in the city! Lafayette's American tour sparked innumerable celebrations, dedications, and parades, and led to the growth of a serious commemorative souvenir market.

The Marquis de Lafayette, an idealistic, independently wealthy French teenager, had aided the Patriots during the American Revolution. He later distinguished himself at the Battle of Rhode Island and in the Yorktown campaign, and was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine. During his time in the thirteen colonies, Lafayette befriended George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton. Lafayette used his aristocratic French connections to advocate for the American cause back in France. After his return to France in the 1780s, Lafayette championed republicanism and helped draft the foundational Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. Thus, when Lafayette returned to the United States in 1824, it was not only as a Revolutionary War hero and veteran, but as a living republican ideologue.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: framed: 9.875" x 8.75" x 1.75"
  • Medium: Invitation

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August 7, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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