[Washington, George] [Verse Kerchief] The Love of Truth / Mark the Boy

[Washington, George]. [Verse Kerchief] The Love of Truth / Mark the Boy. [Germantown, PA: Germantown Print Works], c. 1806. Kerchief. 11" x 12-1/2." Printed in dark brown on cream glazed cotton, unstitched borders; ink has blurred a bit (possibly at time of production based on other copies we've seen), top edge very slightly frayed and very small openings at one fold (barely perceptible), else nearly fine.

Quite an impressive and dark impression of this poetry broadside / kerchief celebrating the legend of young George Washington and the cherry tree, the image and accompanying poem depicting the tree as still standing, having only been accidentally but fatally wounded by young, careless George as he was chopping off the heads of flowers in the family garden. When confronted with the deed, the culprit cries "Papa, I cannot, will not tell a lie! / My sharp bright hatchet gave the naughty stroke." Thread of History, 39 (noting a variant also printed in blue). $1500