Paul Revere's engravings provided extremely effective propaganda. Why are his original copper engraving plates held at the Massachusetts Archives?
"Said committee are directed to take the plates into their hands, and deliver them ... when the notes are all struck off"
– Instructions to Committee Overseeing the Printing of Currency
”
Cyrus Edwin Dallin's stately vision of Paul Revere on horseback, against the backdrop of the Old North Church.
- Massachsuetts ArchivesThe Need for Speed
At times Revere was forced to hurry. He was directed "to attend the business of stamping the notes ... all the ensuing night ... and to finish them with the greatest dispatch possible." Concerned for security, a committee was sent to remind him "to take care, that he does not leave his engraving press exposed, when he is absent from it" and to take the plates into custody when printing was completed. The plates have remained in the possession of the various Massachusetts governments ever since.
- BU/Edu
- Massachusetts Archives
- Massachusetts Archives
- Massachusetts Archives
- Massachusetts Archives