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CURRIER & IVES IRISH JOHN MITCHEL POSTER IRELAND The2FunAdGuyz offer a new print of a stunning Currier & Ives lithograph with a portrait of Irish Patriot and editor, John Mitchel. Mitchel was a fervent Irish Nationalist and solicitor who turned to journalism as a way to bring about the changes he sought for Ireland. Eventually his writings brought a charge of Felony Treason under an act largely brought to secure convictions against Irish activists. In 1848, Mitchel was sentenced to 14 years transport in a penal colony of Van Diemen’s Land (now known as Tasmania). He escaped and ended up in America where he now sided with the South in both the run up to the conflict and the actual American Civil War. In 1848, when the original Currier & Ives Lithograph was done, Mitchel was a hero both in Ireland and among the millions of Irish immigrants living in America. In fact, the caption at the bottom refers to Mitchel as a martyr in the sense that he was made to suffer for his political activities. That caption is part of the speech John Mitchel made to the Court during sentencing. DESCRIPTION: John Mitchel is portrayed as a handsome young man (he was 33 at the time of his conviction) seated in an armchair. His bearing, clothes and manner are still that of a solicitor but his eyes seem much more visionary. In his right hand is a sheet of paper at the top of which are the words “United Irishmanâ€, the newspaper he began publishing and for which he was convicted of treason. In the harbor behind him one can see a sailing ship, presumably the one that carried him to his imprisonment in the penal colony. CAPTION: John Mitchel, the First Irish Martyr of Ireland in Her Revolution of 1848. I have shown what the law is made of in Ireland. I have shown that her Majesty’s Government sustains itself in Ireland by packed juries, by partisan judges, by perjured sheriffs. I do not regret any thing I have done, and I believe that the course which I have opened is only commenced. The Roman who saw his hand burning in ashes before the tyrant, promised that three hundred should follow out his enterprise. Can I not promise (looking at his friends who surrounded the dock,) fer [sic] one, fer two, fer three, ay fer hundreds. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Mitchel was a passionate and complex individual in later life, but at the very moment this amazing lithograph was produced there was little doubt of his popularity in Ireland and America. As a member of both “Young Ireland†and the “Irish Confederation†he stood on the front lines of the fight for Irish Independence. His writings, most particularly his “Jail Journalsâ€, are part of the great Irish Independence literature. Even after years of exile and several jails, he was elected a Member of Parliament, though never allowed to take office because he was a convicted felon. He died in 1875 while still fighting to take his seat in parliament. ORIGINAL MEDIA: Nathaniel Currier produced the original lithograph on which this new print is based. CURRIER & IVES: While most Americans have heard of Currier & Ives, most do not know that both of them were members of their local fire department. Nat Currier and Jim Ives printed the original lithograph on which this new print is based. From their business on Spruce Street in Brooklyn, New York, Currier and Ives printed over 1 million prints covering over 7500 different titles from 1834 to 1907. Their work chronicles an era in America before the printing press could produce colored prints and stone lithography were the only method for doing color prints in quantity. Though their lithographs are in high demand today, they once described their business as Publishers of Cheap and Popular Pictures. We have many more Irish posters, prints, photos and ads in our store. To view them Click Here. DECORATING USES: Many of our customers find this poster ideal for decorating a den, recreation room, family room or boy’s room. Of course many Irishmen or Irishwomen will consider it appropriate for any room in the house. GIFT IDEAS: Now you know what to get your favorite Irishman or woman for St. Patrick’s Day or any other occasion. PAPER QUALITY: This new print is on a highest quality, acid-free, 100-pound glossy premium text paper that allows for maximum color brilliance and fidelity for older images. AVAILABILITY: In Stock! – Usually Ships Within 2 Business Days. Image Size: 10.5 inches wide by 15.5 inches high. Paper Size: 11 inches wide by 17 inches high. This allows for a small border around the image for matting and framing. When matted, this format is perfect for a standard 16-inch x 20-inch frame, a manageable size for a wide variety of decorating purposes. SUPER SHIPPING SAVINGS We ship all items ordered and paid for at the same time for ONE LOW shipping and handling fee, whether it is one or one-hundred items. We ship all items paid for in a single transaction for ONE low shipping and handling fee, whether it is one or one-hundred items. Here is how it works. Simply purchase all of your items BEFORE you checkout or pay for any single item. After purchasing your last item, proceed to checkout for that item. eBay will automatically combine ALL items into one single payment with only ONE shipping and handling charge based on the shipping method you choose. MAKE US A FAVORITE STORE: Make us a favorite store and we will send you a favorite customers newsletter with specials and announcements on the new posters and photographs in our listings. Powered by eBay Turbo Lister The free listing tool. 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