Peter F. Copeland (1927-2007) lived a number of lives over 80 years: merchant seaman, combat artist, exhibits specialist at Museum of National History, bon vivant and historical illustrator and in the latter years of his life, as author-artist of an historical coloring book series. In the mid 1960s, he collaborated with Don Holst, another Smithsonian specialist, on a limited edition print series that they called "Brother Jonathan." At that time, Pete was at the height of his power as an illustrator and the team had access to original arms and uniforms in the Smithsonian collections for reference and Holst even posed with such in hand for Pete's photography and sketching. Pete had a great sense of humor and it shows in his illustration work, his portrayals of America's fighting men of the Revolution are more akin to Bill Mauldin's Willie & Joe than a uniform study by Detaille and his ilk--but with more attention to detail where it mattered, as in cut of clothing or arms features or in depicting campaign wear on garments, equipment and personage. In the 1960s, he was at the top of his abilities. When I purchased the original Brother Jonathan originals from Pete in 2006, I also discovered why these small 8 1/2 x 14 prints were so incredibly detailed: his pen and ink originals were nearly more than 2-3 times that size!! 

Complete with Holst/Copeland historical notes on the figure from the print series attached to reverse. For information about the artist, please refer to the notes in the lot two previous to this work. CONDITION: scattered foxing on the artist's board, with a few spots of the artist's "white out" masking work while inking in his pencil drawing.