Image: US Great Seal Charles Thomson Preliminary Design

Description: Preliminary version of the Great Seal of the United States by Charles Thomson, the Secretary of Congress. Three separate committees had tried and failed to come up with a suitable design for a national seal which satisfied the Continental Congress; Thomson then took elements from all the preceding designs and came up with this version, which is very close to the final design. William Barton made some further refinements before the final report was submitted. Thomson's description of this design: On a field, _____ Chevrons composed of seven pieces on one side & six on the other, joined together at the top in such wise that each of the six bears against or is supported by & supports two of the opposite side the pieces of the chevrons on each side alternate red & white. The shield borne on the breast of an American Eagle on the wing & rising proper. In the dexter talon of the Eagle an Olive branch & in the sinister a bundle of Arrows. Over the head of the Eagle a Constellation of Stars surrounded with bright rays and at a little distance clouds. In the bill of the Eagle a scroll with these words E pluribus unum. Barton changed the stripes on the shield to be paleways (vertical), changed the presentation of the eagle to be "displayed" (wings spread and elevated) instead of "rising", specified 13 arrows, and wrote a more properly heraldic description. Their final report was accepted and became the official Great Seal. There was no drawing in the final report; only the description.
Title: US Great Seal Charles Thomson Preliminary Design
Credit: Original Design of the Great Seal of the United States (1782) (direct PDF URL [1])
Author: en:Charles Thomson (1729 – 1824)
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No