Description:

Slavery
n.p., ca. 1861
4 Patriotic Covers ft. Contraband Slaves
Archive
A collection of four pictorial covers relating to Southern slaves as "contraband of war", ca. 1861. Featuring various images of Benjamin F. Butler, Jefferson Davis, and African Americans throughout. Varying degrees of scattered soiling and darkened handling marks, with minor creasing to all. Otherwise, very good. Please see below for additional information on contents.

The lot includes:

1.) Engraved cover depicting a group of slaves running away from their masters toward Fort Monroe. A plantation owner can be seen yelling after them, with one man referring to himself as contraband. 5.5" x 3".

2.) Pictorial cover showing an African American boy clinging to the leg of Benjamin Butler. Captioned below: "One of the F.F.V.'s after his Contraband. General Butler 'can't see it'". 5.5" x 3".

3.) Pictorial cover featuring Jefferson Davis, depicted as a dog, cornered by an African American man, who holds his leash. A donkey can be seen saying "Jeff has the feelings of a prince of wails". 5.5" x 3".

4.) Engraved cover depicting Jefferson Davis as a "Southern lion" in a menagerie, with an African American man poking him with a stick. Captioned below: "Stiring him up." 5" x 3".

In May 1861, three enslaved men from Virginia, Frank Baker, James Townsend, and Sheppard Mallory, escaped to the Union camp of Fort Monroe commanded by Gen. Benjamin Butler. Prior to the Civil War, slave owners could legally request their return (as property) under the federal Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. However, since Virginia had seceded from the Union, General Butler took the position that if Virginia considered itself a foreign power, then he was under no obligation to return the three men. He thus determined to hold them as "contraband of war", as the Confederate states considered slaves to be property.

This lot comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 5.5" x 3"
  • Medium: Archive

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August 7, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
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$100 $299 $20
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$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
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$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000