EARLIEST DEPICTION OF THE BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO
219. MEYRICK, Edwin. Texian Grand March, for
the Piano Forte. Respectfully Dedicated to Genl.
Houston and his Brave Companions in Arms. New York:
Firth & Hall, 1835 [actually 1836]. 7 pp., folio,
lithographed illustration of Santa Anna surrendering his
sword to the wounded Houston, signed with monogram AF.
Spine neatly backed with matching archival paper. Very
fine copy. Preserved in a half tan levant morocco and
marbled boards folding
case.
First edition (actually published in 1836), first
state with lithographer’s monogram AF. Streeter
and others have transcribed the monogram as FA, but
according to Ron Tyler’s preliminary research on
nineteenth-century Texas lithographs, the monogram has been
attributed to Anthony Fleetwood (ca. 1800-after 1859). See
Peters (America on Stone, pp. 186-89) for more
information on Fleetwood (whose work he describes as
"scarce and excellent") and Firth (published sheet music).
Eberstadt, Texas 162:542: "An historic
moment—Houston Accepts Santa Anna’s sword."
Library of Congress, Texas Centennial Exhibition 96.
Streeter 1171 (two locations): "This has been entered under
the copyright date of 1835, but obviously it must have been
published sometiem after April 21, 1836, the date of the
battle of San Jacinto." Webb, Texana, Revolution 13.
Pingenot: One of the most famous pieces of Texas sheet
music. The top half of the title page is handsome
lithograph showing Santa Anna surrendering his sword to the
wounded Houston. The Texan leader is sitting up in bed
surrounded by two fellow officers and one armed guard.
Despite the artist’s imaginative (and unrealistic)
concept of the uniforms worn by the Texans, this is the
earliest depiction of an aspect of the Battle of San
Jacinto.
($500-1,000)