This is a hand painted "Coat-of-Arms" for James Hemphill Jones. At the very top is an eagle clutching arrows, a laurel and a fasces with an "E. PLURIBUS UNUM." banner over the wings. There is a large blue shield with a red cross in the center and gold floral scroll designs around the outside underneath the eagle. The dexter and sinister chief show the rank bars, the center chief, dexter flank, sinister flank and center base list the dates of attaining rank, the ships he served on and the battles he took place in. The fess point shows a ship with an eagle and anchor. The dexter base shows an ordnance bomb and a hunting horn with an "M" in the center on a gold shield. The sinister base shows the Marine Corps logo. Colonel Jones was born on May 6th, 1821 and died on April 17th, 1880 after contracting pneumonia. Measures 32 1/4 inches tall x 25 1/2 inches wide. According the consignor's notes, the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia, does not have an example of this escutcheon plate for Col. James H. Jones in their collection. This is a rare plate worthy of a museum collection. Jones' military service record is included on the plate and is as follows "2d Lieut, March 3, 1847, served on shore with the Army during the Mexican War, frigate 'Raritan' and steam frigate 'Saranac,' West Indies. Navy Yard, Philadelphia 1847-'48. 1st Lieut. Sept. 1 1853", "Perry's Japan Squadron, Sloop 'Macedonian,' steam frigate 'Mississippi,' and 'Powhattan.' Receiving Ship 'Ohio' Navy Yard Boston.", "Captain, May 24, 1861, Hd. Qrs. Washington D.C. and Navy Yard. Do. Steamers 'Richmond' and 'Susquehanna', Mediterranean Squadron.", "Battle of 1st Bull Run, VA. Flagship 'Lancaster' Pacific Squadron, Com'dg. Barracks Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. Major and Lieut. Col. June 10, 1864 Com'dg. Marine Barracks Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Com'dg. Marine Barracks Navy Yard, Boston, Mass. Promoted to Colonel March 16, 1879." All lettering of his history in Corps was done in gold tint or wash or ink.

Very fine, nearly all of the original paint remains with a few areas of flaking, discoloration and cracking. The matting has some discoloration with a couple tears. The otherwise fine frame has scattered scratches, dings and chips. This is an extraordinary piece of U.S.M.C. history!