Disposition list for engravings of "The Sortie Made by the Garrison at Gibraltar" 1799

This is "Disposition list for engravings of 'The Sortie Made by the Garrison at Gibraltar'," created in London on March 12th, 1788, by John Trumbull. It's an inventory list, noting sales and debts related to an engraving of a military scene. The list gives us insight into the economics of art production and distribution at the time. We see names like "Prof. Jefferson," likely a reference to Thomas Jefferson, indicating the network through which Trumbull sold his work. The prices are listed in guineas, a form of British currency, reflecting the economic context of Trumbull's artistic practice in London. The note about Gilbert Stuart suggests Trumbull was selling to other well-known artists as well. These details highlight the importance of studying artists not just as creators, but also as participants in broader social and economic systems. Archival documents like this are invaluable for understanding the circulation and reception of art in its time. They allow us to see how artists navigated the economic landscape and how their work reached different audiences.