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1776 portrait drawn by British spy operating in Canada up for sale
ALBANY, N.Y. – Two portraits drawn in Albany during the Revolutionary War by a British spy operating out of Canada are being auctioned in New York City.
Swann Auction Galleries in Manhattan on Tuesday is selling John Andre’s circa-1776 portraits of Albany Mayor Abraham Cuyler and his wife. The pencil-on-paper sketches are mounted together and being sold as one unit. The estimated sale price is $50,000 to $75,000.
Andre was captured by Americans in Canada in 1775 and was headed to captivity in Pennsylvania when he spent several weeks with the Cuylers and drew their portraits.
After being released, Andre was put in charge of the British spy network in America. He arranged for American Gen. Benedict Arnold to hand over information on West Point in exchange for money. Andre eventually was captured and hanged.
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