Providence Marine Society Certificate of

Membership Circa 1832. It is signed by the engraver William Hamlin (1772-1869), as well as the artist Thomas Young (active 1817-1840), Engraved, hand colored, and printed document on paper with polychrome watercolor highlights. The document is identified as a membership certificate for the Providence Marine Society and features a four panel engraved scene. The top of the document is divided into three panels, the left panel showing the scene of a three-masted sailing vessel flying the American flag coming to the aid of a smaller sailing vessel in distress. The second panel is a view of King Neptune riding through the water in a chariot pulled by two bay horses. The third panel is a scene of a ship in distress on a rocky coast with a lighthouse in the distance. The center section of the document includes the calligraphic text flanked on the left by an impression in starburst cut gold foil of the seal of the Marine Society, and on the right by an engraved view of the Great Seal of the United States showing a spread wing eagle featuring a red, white, and blue shield. The inscription on the document reads as follows: "These are to certify that John R. Dennis was regularly admitted a member of the Providence Marine Society, 3rd day of January, 1832. Given under our hand and the seal of the Society in Providence, this 16th day of July, 1832. John Gladding, Secretary; Richmond Bullock, President. "On the bottom edge of the text section are inscribed the names of the makers, "T. Young, del." and "Wm. Hamlin, sculp." The bottom section of the document shows a detailed view of Providence Harbor in the early 19th c., showing a variety of ships anchored near the large network of docks and warehouses. In very good overall condition with some minor foxing and fading. The document retains the original gold foil embossed seal of the Providence Marine Society, as well as the original gilt frame. Thomas Young, who drew the scenes, and William Hamlin, the engraver, were both very active in the Providence area. Young was known as a portrait and miniature painter who painted many important figures in Providence society including: Nehemiah Knight (RI governor), Thomas Cole, and John Matthewson Eddy. Hamlin's career has been more carefully documented, and his work as a banknote and general engraver who lived and worked in Providence is well-known. He was also an active businessman who specialized in repairing sextants, quadrants, and other nautical and mathematical instruments. Provenance: purchased by the consignor in 2004 from Nathan Liverant & Son Antiques.