ADMIRAL GEORGE DEWEY (1837-1917). SIGNED PORTRAIT ON PUBLISHER’S MOUNT

10 13/16 x 13 7/8 in. large-format photogravure (or collotype) portrait after a photograph, printed in black-and-white and tipped to the original textured mount with blind and printed publisher’s devices in the lower margin, copyright 1899 (Chicago). Boldly signed on the mount, “George Dewey,” with rank added in his hand, “[Admiral/Commodore] U.S. Navy.”

A handsome, post–Spanish-American War presentation of the hero of Manila Bay, taken year after his decisive victory of 1 May 1898 and during the height of his national renown. Dewey remains the only officer in U.S. history to hold the grade Admiral of the Navy (established 1903). His large, clean signature beneath this formal bust portrait gives the piece strong display appeal.

[Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards, Stereographs] [Spanish American War, Spanish-American War, Cuban War of Independence, USS Maine, Remember the Maine, Philippine-American War, Philippine Revolution, Rough Riders, Battle of San Juan Hill, Theodore Roosevelt, Teddy Roosevelt] [Navy, Naval History]