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The Freeman
Institute®
Black
History Collection
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Powerful Images of
Black History from the Ancient to the Modern
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African |
European |
Caribbean |
South American |
American |
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Please wait for images to
load -- It's worth the wait. If you were to print this entire website, it
would be about 85+ pages...
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"se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yennki"
(translation below)
"There is nothing wrong with going back to
fetch what one has forgotten." -- Ashanti
saying
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Thanks to the many people
who have been mentors, cultural / historical guides,
and an
inspiration to Dr. Freeman along the way (in no particular order):
Mark Mitchell, Don Griffin, Jeffrey Wright, Ivan
Van Sertima, Ben Carson, Clarence Walker, Darryl Colbert,
Steve Fitzhugh, Patricia Ware, Lenny Moore, Adrian
Branch, Les Brown, Marcella Hinton, and many others...
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Check
out the 4 minute Return To Glory film clip (just before
#11, below). Order Black History and other
resources by clicking on the Return To Glory book cover to the
right (a new window will open) >>>>>>>
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Some Questions
-- Addressed Below |
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- What was the first book written by an African American? --
see #1.
- Was Alexander Dumas (Three Musketeers, Count of Monte
Cristo, etc.) of African descent? -- see #11
- Who published 16 volumes of Black History comics from
1966-1977? -- see #25.
- What was Pearl Bailey paid for her role in the film, Porgy
and Bess? -- see #27.
- What was the name of one of the Life Insurance companies
that insured the slaves brought over from Africa -- see #30.
- What role did the Royal African Company play in the African
Slave Trade? -- see #35.
- What was Frederick Douglass doing in Dundee, Scotland in
1846? -- see #37.
- Who were the early Lindy Hoppers? -- see #40.
- What is the oldest identifiable slave ship wreck in the
world? -- see #44.
- How did a famous British actress effect the outcome of the Civil
War? -- see #61.
- Who was the emperor of Ethiopia from 1855 to 1868 and what
did he accomplish? -- see
#66.
- How many compositions could "Blind Tom" play on the piano?
-- see #70.
- What is the true history behind the African American lawn
jockey images? -- see #72.
- What was the primary catalyst behind the mass exodus of
Blacks from the Republican Party after 1922? -- see #76.
- What sponsored the "three-fifths" concepts regarding slaves
in the South? -- see #95.
- Who was the slave who won his freedom in a Louisville, KY
horse race 36 years before the Kentucky Derby? -- see #96.
- What US industry employed over 3,000 African Americans (1/6
of labor force) from 1803-1860? -- see #99.
- Out 44 states
reporting lynchings, how many reported more whites being lynched
than blacks? -- see #102.
- How did George
Washington's visit to Barbados (1751-51) impact the outcome of
the Revolutionary War? -- see #103
- Check out the "Did You Know" segment at the bottom of this
web page.
- Much, much more...
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If you have any relevant
historic documents, artifacts, old books or photos to donate, please
email a description of the piece and your contact information. All
donations of historical artifacts, documents, photos or books are used for
educational purposes and public display only. Donors will receive a letter
of acknowledgement from The Freeman Institute Foundation and will be
recognized for their contribution through the listing of the item when on
display.
Some of the donors are: Robert Cornuke (set of authentic, vintage
slave shackles bought in Ethiopia), Martha Ann Simmons (historic
cards/items of African American history), Gerry Slessinger (set of
authentic, vintage slave shackles from the Congo region and also a British
Slave ad), Mark Mitchell (signed Frederick Douglass document and
1748 Barbados invoice for sugar, produced by slaves, being shipped to
Philadelphia),
Brenda Pinckney (vintage copy of 16mm film, Birth of A
Nation-4 reels in all), Jack Spencer (scrimshaw of four African
slaves and a slave ship on an 18th Century whale's tooth),
Stephen Dankwah (authentic slave shackles used by his ancestors
to hold African slaves at the Slave Coast and Elmina slave castles
in Ghana)...
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T
H E F R
E E M A N I
N S T I T U T E®
Black History
Collection |
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black
history, African American, black heritage, black history
month, egypt, pyramids, rosetta stone, frederick douglass,
george washington carver, booker t. washington, slave ship,
abolition, british slave trade, phillis wheatley |
- An Ever-Expanding Black History Collection -
BlackHeritageTreasures.com
BlackHistoryIdeas.com
Black101.com
________________________________________________
No images on this page may be
used without
permission.
© 2008
Joel A. Freeman, Ph.D. |
black history,
African American, black heritage, black history month, egypt,
pyramids, rosetta stone, frederick douglass, george washington carver,
booker t. washington, slave ship, abolition, british slave trade,
phillis wheatley
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This collection:
1. Tears down barriers between Blacks and Whites, young and
old...
2. Opens hearts and changes minds...
3. Surrounds Black people with their ancestors, giving a
sense of awe and wonderment for people of all nationalities
and ethnicities...
4. Causes people to think and want to learn more, leading to
continuing achievement, scholarship and education...
5. Leaves a legacy...

Vivant Denon drew this image of the Sphinx of Giza around
1798, prior to its defacement. This image and written account (a part of
the collection) is from the 1803 issue of Universal Magazine. From that
same magazine, here is the written account in Denon's own words, "...Though
its proportions are colossal, the outline is pure and graceful; the
expression of the head is mild, gracious, and tranquil; the character
is African, but the mouth, and lips of which are thick, has a softness
and delicacy of execution truly admirable; it seems real life and flesh.
Art must have been at a high pitch when this monument was executed; for,
if the head wants what is called style, that is the say, the straight and
bold lines which give expression to the figures under which the Greeks
have designated their deities, yet sufficient justice has been rendered to
the fine simplicity and character of nature which is displayed in this
figure..." --
order postcard
of Sphinx of Giza
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Phillis Wheatley |
1. The
rare 1838 edition of Phillis Wheatley's
Memoir and Poems (Isaac Knapp, Boston, 1773 was the
year of the First Edition) -- A 28 page
memoir of Wheatley by Margaretta Matilda Odell, a collection
of Wheatley's poems, and perhaps most importantly, it
contains the third publication of the poems of the North
Carolina slave George Moses Horton, preceded only by
a pamphlet published in Raleigh, NC (originally entitled
The Hope of Liberty, an unobtainable volume), and a
reprint in 1837 in Philadelphia (no copies in American
libraries). The first appearance together of the two of the
first three published African-American poets (separated only
by Jupiter Hammon). An exceptionally scarce title.
Wheatley, born in Africa around 1753, was enslaved and
brought to America in 1761. Tutored by the Wheatley family,
Phillis was able to read the most difficult passages from
the Bible within sixteen months. She started writing poetry
at the age of twelve and by 1770 was well known in Boston
and England for her elegies. Her published poetry initiated
both African-American literature as well as the strong
tradition of literature by African-American women --
order postcard of Phillis Wheatley |
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George Moses
Horton, though of pure African parentage, was born a slave in North
Carolina in 1797. In the little spare time he had he taught himself to
read and began to compose poems, which he had to commit to memory because
he was unable to write. Though his efforts were unappreciated by both the
slave owner and his fellow slaves (who considered him "a vain fool"), he
convinced his master to send him weekly to the nearby campus of the
University of North Carolina, where he was able to sell produce. Soon he
was composing love poetry on commission (ranging from twenty-five to
seventy-five cents per poem) for students, who would claim it as their own
when wooing Southern belles. Horton's business thrived and in a short time
some of the academics helped him to learn to write and aided in his
getting published. Sadly, his master continuously refused to allow him or
others to buy his freedom. Freed by Union troops after sixty-seven years
of slavery, he spent the remainder of his life in Philadelphia and died in
1883. Among his distinctions, he was the first published black Southern
poet, the first black male writer to have a book published in America (Hammon's
works were all published as pamphlets), the first black poetic voice to
protest against slavery, and the first black author to earn money from his
writings. A marvelous assemblage of two seminal figures in
African-American literature, whose works are preserved for their quality
as well as their historical importance.
-- An intriguing vintage "Negroe
Slave Girl Appraisal"
document mentioning a girl, Phillis...dated April 14th, 1766 -- Philadelphia.
A one-of-a-kind Early American document; entirely hand-penned on laid,
watermarked paper, especially since the typical spelling of the girl's
name is "Phyllis." It appears as though Dr. Robert Elton
settled the account and/or estate of Thomas Hart ---most important was the
inclusion of the appraisal of a "Negroe Girl named Phillis" for the
amount of thirty pounds. Measures about seven by twelve inches. After
cursory research it has been determined that the "Phillis" mentioned in
this document is not the Phillis Wheatley, even though the
first name is spelled the same. Our initial thought was that perhaps John
Wheatley had purchased Phillis from the estate of Thomas Hart. Phillis
Wheatley was purchased by John and Susanna Wheatley in Boston a few years
earlier. We are still researching to determine the identity of Phillis
Wheatley's seller. The same first name of Phillis and same approximate
time period of the 1760s and approximate age are items of interest. This
document gives us a glimpse into early American life and the life of a
young girl with the same first name as the famous, Phillis Wheatley.
-- The September 1773 edition of the
Gentleman's Magazine -- first published mention of
Phillis Wheatley's book.
-- Vintage engravings (2) of Selina, Countess of Huntingdon. She
funded many organizations and people, including John Newton.
Even though the Countess and Phillis never actually met, she
funded the printing of the first edition of Phillis
Wheatley's book.
-- A 1.5" brass 1937 commemorative coin of the founding of
Huntingdon, PA. On the front of the coin is a Bust of Selina
Hastings Countess of Huntingdon. On the reverse is a
Quaker shaking hands with an Indian chief at Standing Stone
Monument. Around the edge is Sesquicentennial adoption
of the constitution of the United States. Coin shows aging
patina but in excellent condition.
-- 1851 biography page of Phillis Wheatley, with her famous
image prominently placed at the top (Illustrated
Biographies)
-- 1855 wood engraving of Phillis Wheatley from
Lossing's "Our Countrymen, Brief Memoirs of Eminent
Americans." It is a half-page portrait engraving, with
biography of Phillis.
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First Edition copy (1886) of
Chips from the White House 1886 by Jeremiah
Chaplin. A large collection of responses from the presidents
starting with Washington to Cleveland. One response was to
Phillis Wheatley slave who wrote poetry to George
Washington.
-- Vintage 1909 edition of "The Poems of Phillis Wheatley",
published by Richard R. Wright, Jr. and Charlotte Crogman
Wright (A.M.E. Book Concerns, Philadelphia)
-- A hard-to-find 1930 hardcover edition of Phillis
Wheatley's book, published by the Wrights and printed by
A.M.E. Concern, Philadelphia...with Introduction and Notes
by Charlotte Ruth Wright.
-- Scarce First Edition copy of, "The Story of Phillis Wheatley"
(New York: J. Messner, 1949) by Shirley Graham Du
Bois, 2nd wife of NAACP mentor, W.E.B. Du Bois.
-- Limoges
platter, upon which the SS Phillis Wheatley ship was
beautifully hand painted. It is signed on the back of the
platter by the painter, Mrs. E.F. Cantrill (Chicago, IL
dated Aug. 1921). It measures 12 inches by 17 1/2 inches and
is in great condition. There is quite a story behind this
image.
BACKGROUND: On September 17, 1919 the Black Star
Line (run by Marcus Garvey) signed a contract to
purchase its first ship, the "S. S. Yarmouth," later renamed
the "Frederick Douglass,"
for $165,000. On November 5, 1919, plans were
announced to float a second Black Star Line ship, the "S.
S. Phillis Wheatley."
Marcus Garvey was arrested and later deported for mail fraud
and other charges. In spite of all the controversy that
swirls around him, Marcus Garvey legacy is rather inspiring. Out of
the destitute of a society built on White supremacy in 19th
century Kingston, Jamaica; Marcus Garvey literally pulled
himself up by the boot straps and became one of the most
recognized symbols in the fight for the liberation of
Africa. Based on his ideology, the idea of Pan-Africanism
not only emerged world-wide, but started to become a
reality. His legacy provided vision to such giants as
W.E.B. Dubois, George Padmore, Kwame Nkrumah,
Nnamdi
Azikiwe, and Jomo Kenyatta at the 5th Pan-African
Congress which ultimately led to the liberation from the
colonization of African nations such as Ghana and Kenya.
Most importantly, Marcus Garvey’s life and philosophy is
still inspiring millions upon millions of present day
freedom fighters from Africa, America, Europe and the
Caribbean to make sacrifices that will one day in the near
future make his dream of Africa for the Africans realized.
On October 3, 2002
Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson has reiterated his
strong support for current legislation, pending in the
United States House of Representatives, that would vindicate
National Hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, thus clearing the way
for an official absolution of the Jamaican patriot by the
American President.
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2. Wedgwood jasperware Abolitionist, Anti-Slavery
cameo medallion (3 medallions in collection), with the bound slave on the front, and the words
"Am I Not A Man and A Brother?" around it. From
1787 until his death in 1795, Josiah Wedgwood actively
participated in the British Abolition of Slavery cause. Josiah’s
most important contribution to the movement for the
Abolition of Slavery, the so-called Slave Medallion, was
one which brought the attention of the public to the
horrors of the Slave trade. (There are varying views on the
portrayal of bound slave and slogan.) |
Josiah
Wedgwood sent a large number of cameos to Benjamin Franklin
in Philadelphia who also remarked on the value of the
medallion as a means of bringing awareness of the existence
if slavery to the public. What is particularly amazing is
that the climate of the Revolutionary War was hostile to
good British/American relations. In this context the
abolitionist movement was born and people came together to
fight the evils of the Slave Trade.
-- Also, a
hard-to-find mid-1800s antique bronze figure of man (weighs 18
oz.) pictured to the right -->
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BACKGROUND:
The first and most
identifiable image of the 18th century abolitionist movement was a
kneeling African man. Members of the Society of Friends,
informally known as Quakers, were among the earliest leaders
of the abolitionist movement in Britain and the Americas. By the
beginning of the American Revolution, Quakers had moved from viewing
slavery as a matter of individual conscience, to seeing the
abolition of slavery as a Christian duty. Quakers, who believe in
simplicity in all things, tended to view the arts as frivolous; but
when the Quaker-led Society for Effecting the Abolition of the
Slave Trade met in London in 1787, three of its members were
charged with preparing a design for "a Seal to be engraved for the use
of this Society." Later that year, the society approved a design
"expressive of an African in Chains in a Supplicating Posture."
Surrounding the naked man was engraved a motto whose wording echoed an
idea widely accepted during the Enlightenment among Christians and
secularists: "Am I Not A Man and A Brother?" The design was
approved by the Society, and an engraving was commissioned. The design
was symbolic both artistically and politically. In addition to evoking
classical art, the figure's nudity signified a state of nobility and
freedom, yet he was bound by chains. Black figures, usually depicted
as servants or supplicants, typically knelt in the art of the period,
at a time when members of the upper classes did not kneel when
praying; this particular image combined the European theme of
conversion from heathenism and the idea of emancipation into a posture
of gratitude. In 1788, a consignment of the cameos was shipped to
Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia, where the medallions became a
fashion statement for abolitionists and anti-slavery sympathizers.
They were worn as bracelets and as hair ornaments, and even inlaid
with gold as ornaments for snuff boxes. Soon the fashion extended to
the general public. Although the intent and the effect of the emblem
was to focus public opinion on the evils of the African slave trade
(which it did accomplish), its ultimate effect was to underscore
the perception of black inferiority. The supplicant posture of
blacks persisted as a standard feature of Western art long after
slavery was abolished. Ironically, although the image became the
emblem of the anti-slavery movement, the Society for Effecting the
Abolition of the Slave Trade was emphatic that its only goal was the
abolition of the slave trade, not of slavery itself. That position was
vigorously protested by individual members such as Granville Sharp,
the most influential abolitionist of his time.
-- Unique vintage brass door
knocker with an image of William Wilberforce on the
knocker. On the part affixed to the door is an image of the
African slave with the words, "Am I Not A Man and A
Brother?".
--
Deluxe Ruskin Folio Limited
Edition JMW Turner R.A. - The Slave Ship
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Fine Laid Paper with full
Intaglio plate mark ~ VERY RARE 1 of only
160 published plates.
Beautiful
JMW Turner R.A. illustration from the work in
the Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, U.S.A." published
in 1900 as one of only 160 de-luxe folio edition
illustrations compiled by Frederick Wedmore as an "Exposition
of the Work of Turner from the Writings of Ruskin" and
published by George Allen, Charing Cross, London.
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3.
Rare 7" figurines of Tom Molineaux and Tom Cribb
(figurines dated, early-mid 1800s -- 2 sets). Born 1784, Tom Molineaux was
the first unofficial American Boxing Champion. Tom
Molineaux was born a slave but fought his way to freedom and
ultimately a shot at the heavyweight title. He began boxing other
slaves while plantation owners wagered on the bouts. Finally after
defeating a slave from a rival plantation, he was given his
freedom and $500. He traveled to New York and then, in 1809, he
left for England and began boxing. Molineaux was trained by Bill
Richmond, |
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another freed
American slave who became a notable prize fighter in England.
Molineaux won two bouts in England and the ease with which he won
quickly lined him up for a title shot against British heavyweight
champion Tom Cribb. In December 18th, 1810, Molineaux challenged
Crib in a classic encounter. After some 39 rounds of give and
take, Molineaux finally collapsed from exhaustion. The great
Pierce Egan, who described the American as "The Tremendous Man of
Colour," wrote of the contest: "Molineaux proved himself as
courageous a man as ever an adversary contended with ...
[Molineaux] astonished everyone, not only by his extraordinary
power of hitting and his gigantic strength, but also by his
acquaintance with the science, which was far greater than any had
given him credit for." The two Cribb fights made Molineaux a
celebrity in England. But he fought only sporadically, opting to
engage in numerous sparring exhibitions. In 1818, he died in
Dublin, Ireland. This Collection owns three sets of figurines.
-- October 13, 1818
edition of the New-York Spectator reporting the death of
Tom Molineaux, the celebrated pugilist at Galway, Ireland.
Tom was the first American boxer to fight for the London Prize
Ring championship. A former slave, Molineaux reportedly got
his freedom after winning a boxing match on which his owner (Algernon
Molineaux) had placed a large bet. |

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--
Joe Louis, The Brown Bomber Little
Big Book, dated 1936, is approximately 3 1/8" x 4 1/2" and it has 238
pages. There are many photos of Joe in training, talking with his manager,
being certified medically fit, fight scenes, etc. These old books of
sports figures like Joe Louis do not come along very often.
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A vintage, original 1935
Joe Louis vs. King Levinsky boxing poster.
Poster measures approx. 6"
x 12" and is printed on pulp
paper.
-- Boxing gloves personally signed by Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier,
George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard &
others...
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Negro Actor's Guild |
4. One-of-a-kind signed letters/albums/contracts/sheet music from
Nat King Cole, Dizzy
Gillespie, Duke
Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Louis Armstrong, B. B. King, Ethel Waters, Pearl
Bailey, Miles Davis, Lindy Hoppers, Sarah Vaughan, Fats Domino, Quincy Jones, Earl Hines,
Etta James, S. Coleridge-Taylor, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis, Jr.,
Grover Washington, Jr., Count Basie,
Mills Brothers, Ozzie Davis,
Lena Horne, Four Tops, Cicely Tyson, James Brown, Charley
Pride, Bo Diddley, Bobby Blue, Chubby Checkers, and others...Negro Actor's
Guild 1945 Program (NAG, with Noble Sissle as president) is pictured to the left.
-- AFTRA Contract signed by Cicely Tyson for her
appearance on the Nancy Wilson Show pilot, Mar. 18, 1973.
Paid $181.
-- AFTRA Contract signed by Lena Horne for her
appearance on Kraft Music Hall, Nov. 17, 1969. Paid $7500
and $50 per diem, plus 2 First Class R/T air tickets from LA
to NY.
-- AFTRA Contract signed by the Four Tops for their
appearance on Kraft Summer Music Hall, signed April 10, 1968.
Paid $2500 for show to be aired August 21, 1968.
-- Waiver for late AFTRA filing signed by Diahann Carroll
on Dec. 9, 1987.
-- Employment contract signed by Ella Fitzgerald on
October 31, 1960.
-- 1989 NBC contract signed by Lionel Hampton, no
compensation for appearance. November 15, 1989. |
-- American Federation of Musicians contract signed by Bo
Diddley for his appearance in Jacksonville, Orlando, and
Tampa Feb. 20 - March 1, 1970.
-- American Federation of Musicians contract signed by
Duke Ellington and his Orchestra for appearance in
Shrine Auditorium, LA on June 4th, 1960. Headline billing,
paid $3000, but paid an extra $1000 if promoter grosses over
$10,000.
-- Original signed
engagement contract for jazz legend Lionel Hampton at
Mansfield State College, PA on March 9, 1963 (band was paid
$2000 for the gig!).
-- KABC radio contract for the Michael Jackson Show, signed
by Robert Guillaune, states that "he discussed his
career as Benson in Soap and as Benson in his own sit-con,
Benson." No compensation for his appearance. November
19, 1979.
-- American Federation of Musicians contract signed by
Charley Pride for an event at the Ozark Mountain
Amphitheatre in Branson, MO. Rider states that he is to
receive 100% top billing and that his name is to be spelled
correctly (Charley). Paid $20,000 plus 60/40 split over
$55,000. Neal McCoy is opening act. June 25, 1988.
--
Original 4-Page contract (1935) between the Lindy
Hoppers and Samuel Goldwyn. Signing twice are
George
"Shorty" Snowden, Freddie Lewis, Madeline Lewis,
Beatrice Gay, Beatrice Elam and Leroy Jones.
They were paid $2500 for a week's service. Research
has determined that this document is most probably the
contract for the film short, "Ask Uncle Sol".
-- Actors Television Motion Picture contract signed by
Leslie Uggams for her role as "Amanda Price" in the
movie "Hotel -- Discoveries." Paid $10,000. October 13,
1986.
-- Standard AFTRA Engagement Contract for Single TV
Broadcast signed by Leslie Uggams for her appearance
on the Glen Campbell Show. Paid $7500. December 20, 1968.
Show aired March 2, 1969.
-- American Federation of Musicians contract signed by jazz
great, Donald Byrd (Blackbyrd Productions), to appear
at the Great American Music Hall, San Francisco. Ticket
price, $6, paid $3,000 against the rights to 70% of the
gross. July 30, 1979.
-- Standard AFTRA Exclusive Agency Contract (1 year) with
CNA & Associates, signed by Richard Roundtree
(Shaft). June 6, 1989.
-- Contract signed by Sarah Vaughn for performing
100% Sole Star Billing at the Van Wezel Performing Arts
Cebter, Sarasota, FL. Paid $20,000. Includes stage plot. May
1, 1987.
-- Standard AFTRA exclusive agency contract (3 years) with
The Artists Agency signed by Ossie Davis. May 4,
1987.
-- American Federation of Musicians contract by blues great
B.B. King for his appearance at Shea's Buffalo
Theater, Buffalo, NY. Paid a flat $7500, with 100% top
billing. Signed July 30, 1976. Show was March 19, 1977.
Rider, with letter and check receipt included.
-- Standard AFTRA Network TV contract for the Harlem
Globetrotters TV Special shot at The Forum in LA, signed
by Pearl Bailey. Paid $1000. Jan. 28, 1972.
-- Agency For The Performing Arts agreement signed by
Isaac Hayes for his appearance on the "Sonny and Cher
Comedy Hour." July 16, 1973.
-- William Morris Agency contract (10%) signed by Pearl
Bailey to represent her in relation to the motion
picture industry and the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG). March
30, 1945.
-- William Morris contract signed by Earl "Fatha" Hines
vintage and dated January 15, 1941. Earl Hines was known as
one of the most famous jazz pianist's of the 20th Century
and created many standards of today. This vintage signed
contract is in excellent condition with a bold autograph of
Earl Hines in vintage fountain pen. The contract is also
signed by Charles Carpenter sometimes known as Charlie
Carpenter who wrote and worked closely with Earl Hines
on many songs including the famous song "You Can Count On
Me". He has signed under Earl Hines as Witness. The
contract is actually signed by two famous Jazz musicians
which makes this contract very rare and unique.
-- William Morris Agency contract, signed by Earl "Fatha"
Hines (10% -- representing him from 10/1943 - 1/1948).
Signed 10/12/1943. Signed contracts by Earl Hines are very
rare.
-- AGVA Standard Form for Artists Engagements Contract,
signed by Eartha Kitt (Catwoman) for an appearance in
San Bernardino, CA on March 20, 1964. Paid $1500. This contract
would've been cancelled if Las Vegas event opened up
for her on the same day.
-- WPIX "Clay Cole's Diskotek Program" NY appearance signed
by the Shirelles, Addie Harris (3/27/1967) |
5.
1829 newspaper from Bermuda - The Royal Gazette
- Bermuda Commercial and General Advertiser and Recorder -
Hamilton, Bermuda: Donald McPhee Lee (first editor) - No. 37
- Vol. 2, dated Tuesday, September 15, 1829 - this
paper was started in 1828 and is still in production at the
present. This genuine historical 4 page newspaper has
typical age toning, foxing and edge wear and is printed on
cotton and rag cloth. An intriguing read as it gives first
hand news and reflections of life at that time in Bermuda
and around the world, such as recently enacted laws, news
(on politics, wars and deaths), poetry and advertising were
published in the daily paper, with descriptive ads for
runaway slaves and the selling of slaves commonplace.
In this issue is an interesting article about the
Abolition of Slavery, "At a meeting held at the
Freemason's Tavern, London, on the 14th July last, for the
purpose of considering the means of protecting from Slavery
the future children born of Negroes in the British Colonies
-- Mr. Olway Cave, in the chair. -- A variety of resolutions
were proposed and assented to, to the effect that Parliament
should be petitioned for the liberation of slaves
born after a certain period in the British Colonies: the
Rev. Mr. Isaacson of Demerara, a clergyman of the Church of
England, in proposing the amendment to the resolution,
"which" he said, "if carried into effect, would shew (sic)
whether the system of free labour was practicable, and
likely to benefit the slaves themselves;" added that "the
whole population of Montserrat and Tortola (6000 in number),
might be purchased for 600,000 Pounds; and it had been
proposed to the Duke of Devonshire to purchase these
islands, in order to try a system of free labour, which, if
it succeeded, might then be extended to other Colonies..."
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6. Extremely rare, The
Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or
Gustavus Vassa, the African (1837 edition). Captured
far from the African coast when he was a boy of 11, Olaudah
Equiano (1745 - 1797) was sold into slavery, later acquired
his freedom. In 1789 Olaudah wrote his widely-read
autobiography. The youngest son of a village leader, Equiano
was born among the Ibo people in the kingdom of Benin,
along the Niger River. He was "the greatest favorite with
[his] mother." His family expected to follow in his father's
footsteps and become a chief, an elder, a judge. Slavery was
an integral part of the Ibo culture, as it was with many
other African peoples. His family owned slaves, but there
was also a continual threat of being abducted, of becoming
someone else's slave. This is what happened, one day, while
Equiano and his sister were at home alone. Two men and a
woman captured the children. Several days later Equiano and
his sister were separated. Equiano continued to travel
farther and farther from home, day after day, month after
month, exchanging masters along the way. Equiano's early
experiences as a slave were not all disagreeable; some
families treated Equiano almost as a part of the family. The
kind treatment, however, was about to end. |

Olaudah Equiano |
About six or seven
months after being abducted, Equiano was brought to the coast, where
he first encountered a slave ship and white men. As it was for all
slaves, the Middle Passage for Equiano was a long, arduous nightmare.
In his autobiography he describes the inconceivable conditions of the
slaves' hold: the "shrieks of the women," the "groans of the dying,"
the floggings, the wish to commit suicide, how those who somehow
managed to drown themselves were envied. The ship finally arrived at
Barbados, where buyers purchased most of the slaves. There was
no buyer, however, for the young Equiano. Less than two weeks after
his arrival, he was shipped off to the English colony of Virginia,
where he was purchased and put to work. Less than a month later, he
had a new master -- Michael Henry Pascal, a lieutenant in the Royal
Navy. Under this master, who owned Equiano for the next seven years,
Equiano would move to England, educate himself, and travel the world
on ships under Pascal's command. In 1766, Equiano bought his
freedom. He found work in the trade business in the West Indies,
then in London. In 1773, he took part in an expedition to try to
discover the Northwest Passage, a route through the arctic to the
Pacific Ocean. Back in England, Equiano became an active
abolitionist. He lectured against the cruelty of British slave
owners. He spoke out against the English slave trade. He worked to
resettle freed slaves.
In 1787 Equiano helped his
friend, Offohab Cugoano,
to published an account of his
experiences,
Narrative of the Enslavement of a Native of
America.
Copies of his book were sent to George III
and other leading politicians. He failed to persuade the king to
change his opinions and like other members of the royal family
remained against abolition of the slave trade.
By 1789, the year he
published his autobiography, Olaudah Equiano was a well-known
abolitionist.
In 1792 Equiano married Susan Cullen of Ely. The couple had two
children, Anna Maria and Johanna. However, Anna Maria died when she
was only four years old. Olaudah Equiano was appointed to the
expedition to settle former black slaves in Sierra Leone, on
the west coast of Africa. However, he died on 31st March, 1797 before
he could complete the task.
|

William
Wilberforce signature |
7.
Two William Wilberforce signatures (one
example seen to the left). Because of this man, slavery
ended in England and the abolitionist movement in America
was influenced. As a constituency Member of Parliament, he
had a lifelong involvement in the campaign to abolish slavery.
-- Handwritten letter by William Wilberforce (dated October
4th, 1808, East Bourne) to a Mr. Ch Idle, Esq., "My friend Mr.
John Thornton and I were intending to do ourselves the pleasure of
calling on you today, but we found on inquiry that you and Mrs.
Idle were both absent. Our object was to confer with you
concerning the setting up of a School (whether a Sunday or every
day school may be matter of future consideration) in this
neighborhood and putting it under the care of some truly pious
teacher, ?, besides that general knowledge of your character which
would have prompted us to apply to you for your concurrence in any
such project...". NOTE: Mr. John Thornton was a wealthy
merchant banker who had financially assisted ex-slaver, John
Newton and many others. |
|
-- "The Life of William Wilberforce", scarce First
Edition book written by Casper Morris, 1857.
-- A Practical View Of
The Prevailing Religious System Of Professed Christians, In
The Higher And Middle Classes, Contrasted With Real
Christianity. Book by William Wilberforce.
Boston: Printed by Manning & Loring, For Ebenezer Larkin.
1799. Second American Edition. Publisher’s full calf
leather over boards, red morocco spine label titled in gilt.
300 pages. Volume measures 7” x 4 ½”. William Wilberforce
was an English philanthropist and anti-slavery crusader, who
was instrumental in winning the abolition of the British
slave trade in 1807. He was also an M. P. for the county
of York and a central figure in the Clapham sect of
Evangelicals. His object here is to demonstrate how
Christianity, as practiced by the English middle and upper
classes, differs from what he considered "true
Christianity". This book put him at the forefront of the
evangelical movement.
-- A Practical View of
the Prevailing Religious System
by William Wilberforce,
1824.
6" x 4" x 1", in fair - poor condition -- yellowing/water
damage/spotting; binding is solid. Slight old book smell.
--
"A
Practical View Of The Prevailing Religious System Of
Professed Christians, In The Higher And Middle Classes,
Contrasted With Real Christianity", by William
Wilberforce (2 copies). Measuring about 3-1/2" x 5-3/4", and 375
pages long, this small hardback book is It is published in
New York by the American Tract Society, and is undated, the
only clue being that it is "from a late London edition." If
I had to guess, I'd say somewhere near the mid-1800s. The
only illustration is a steel engraved frontispiece of the
author. It is bound in boards covered with peacock paper,
and a green leather spine, but I believe this is a
re-binding. The boards do not feel as thick and substantial
as I would have expected them to be.
-- The Life of William Wilberforce (1872
edition) by his son, Samuel Lord Bishop of Winchester,
published by John Murray, London.
452 pages, with
engraved frontispiece, marbled page edges and endpapers,
bound in blue calf with gilt pattern and lettering on the
cover and spine. The writing on the front cover reads 'The
Gift of the Haberdasher's Company'.
This book tells the life
story of William Wilberforce and the struggle to abolish the
slave trade. Overall, in good condition - the
binding is tight and all the pages are fine. However, the
cover has been covered with a clear plastic film. Some wear
to the leather can be seen underneath, along the edges of
the cover and spine, with some discoloration to the back
cover. Inside, a small clipping has been stuck onto the back
of the flyleaf and opposite, there is an inscription from
Newport Grammar School, dated 1894. Otherwise, apart from
some slight yellowing to the pages, the text is in excellent
condition.
-- The obituary
of William Wilberforce in an intriguing volume of
Gentleman's Magazine (July to December, 1833). This is
the concluding volume of the original series Volume
103. Some of the items in this volume article running over
the months British Empire in India, Saint James Chapel
Croydon (with plate) much on Battles in Portugal between
brothers of the Royal Family, Charing Palace (Kent),
suppression of the slave trade in India, the obituary
of ardent abolitionist and tireless anti-slavery advocate,
William Wilberforce, and the address to the House of
Representatives by President Jackson. 580 pages with 8
engraved plates, bound in half calf, chip to foot of spine,
bound tight.
BACKGROUND: Gentleman's Magazine was founded in 1731,
ceased publication in 1907, founder Edwin Cave who assumed
the pen name of Sylvanus Urban. The first general
interest magazine to be published and the first to use
the term magazine for a periodical journal, published
monthly. Amongst its early contributors was Samuel Johnson
who wrote parliamentary reports under the title "Debates of
the Senate of Magna Lilliputia" during times when
parliamentary reporting was banned. Each month every
conceivable subject was covered plus regular features;
parliamentary reports, foreign and domestic news, monthly
historical chronicle (a monthly diary of current events),
obituaries, marriages, appointments, bills of mortality (all
excellent references for the genealogist with many names),
reports and reviews of law cases, executions, new
publications. Of particular interest was the monthly
section titled London Gazette which was important extracts
from the official government newspaper often consisting of
military and naval dispatches from commanders in the field.
Early copies were bound as 12 months, later as the magazine
grew in size they were bound as 6 monthly sections. Most
months had a variety of engraved plates bound in. History as
it happened written by people who were there, a fascinating
read or a valuable reference work for the historian.
--
October 1, 1790 Literary Magazine & British Review which is
240 pages long. 8" x 5". Some of the subjects are the stock
prices, poetry, Abolition of the Slave Trade, Life of G.
Buchanan, General Principals of Political Economy and much,
much more.
William
Wilberforce's famous abolition speech, delivered in the
House of Commons on Tuesday, May 12, 1789 is the backdrop to
the article about the abolition of the slave trade.
In the article on the
Abolition of the Slave Trade,
the writer states, "At a time when Parliament are
agitating the question of the slave trade, it is natural, as
well as proper, to enquire into its nature and effect. The
project for its destruction reflects an honour on the
English, and affords a fresh proof to the world of humanity
which has been deemed their characteristic. That a scheme
like this should have met with impediments, might have been
readily expected, as it concerns a commerce-sanctioned by
long usage and supported by strong and powerful interest. I
think, however, I can foretell, without prophetic
inspiration, that opposition will prove fruitless, and will
serve to only complete the triumph..."
--
Rare book
entitled "An Abstract of the Evidence Delivered Before
a Select Committee of the House of Commons in the Years 1790
and 1791, on the Part of the Petitioners for the Abolition
of the Slave Trade". The title on the front cover
reads: "Evidence on the Slave Trade". This
book was published by the American Reform Tract and Book
Society (1855) and has 117 pages. The book is about the evils of slavery and of the slave trade. There
are a list of witnesses who give accounts of the capture of people in
Africa and the ensuing enslavement. The book makes a case against
slavery. It is truly a collector's item.
-- Rare engraving of William Pitt published by the
London Printing and Publishing Company (1840).
Pitt was quite
simply one of the most extraordinary politicians in history.
For anyone to become Prime Minister at the age of 24
is amazing in itself, but to then go on to become one of the
most dominant and long serving of British history puts him
in a class of his own. Most disappointing was that his
enfeebled physical and political state in his final years
meant that he did not ram home his earlier pioneering
efforts to abolish the slave trade, something which was
secured only the year after his death. Pitt’s great
friend William Wilberforce, led the campaign to
abolish the slave trade (1833) and then to abolish
slavery (1834) in the British Empire as well.
-- Rare edition of book (1787) written by ex-slave trader, John
Newton (Rector of St. Mary, Woolnoth, London) --
Letters and Sermons With a Review of Ecclesiastical History
and Hymns. This is Volume III of six volumes. Gives
an interior view of Newton's thoughts and ideals on various
spiritual topics. This collection also has several volumes
of the 1824 edition of the series.
-- John Newton's book (very rare 1795 edition,
First Edition was 1764) "An
Authentic Narrative of some remarkable and interesting
particulars in the Life of John Newton." Communicated in
a Series of Letters to the Rev. Mr. Haweis, Rector of
Aldwinckle, Northamptonshire by Newton, John
(1725-1807). Printed in Philadelphia by William Young. The
book contains fourteen letters, which covers many topics --
"Voyage to Madeira, Entry on Board a Guineaman,
Voyage to Africa, Voyage from Cape Lopez
to England, Danger in the Voyage from Cape Lopez, Voyage
to Antigua, Last Voyage to Africa, etc.. Newton was a
minister in the Church of England and is best remembered as
having written
the hymn Amazing Grace.
103
pp.; old leather binding in good+ condition. Contents with
foxing, yellowing but still very readable; 2 worm holes at
top page edge, not affecting text.
-- Somewhat rare complete
set of "The Works of John Newton: The Late Rector of
St. Mary Woolnoth and St. Mary Woolchurch Haw, London, With
Memoirs of the Author and General Remarks on His Life,
Connections, and Character." By the Rev. Richard
Cecil, M.A. (Third Edition in Six Volumes). London,
MCDCCCXXIV (1824).
In the sixth volume there is a very rare 25-page section
entitled, "Thoughts Upon the African Slave Trade."
Condition: The body and blocks of all the volumes are
holding fine. There is foxing throughout due to age.
Rubbing to spine, and splitting of outer cloth and around
spine, chipping, etc. Most of the pages are white and crisp,
simply hurting a bit cosmetically. All binding holding
fine.
--
Scarce 1855 edition
of "The Life of John Newton" Written for
Young Children, no author, published by Carlton & Phillips
for the Sunday School Union, NY. 92 pages, with 4 pages of
advertisements for publications by the Sunday School Union
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Corners worn, wear to
covers, piece torn out of flyleaf. Slight give to
binding. Overall in good shape.
Contents: I. A dream
and the dreamer II. The ship of war III. Fresh troubles IV.
Deliverance V. Dangers and preservations VI. Conviction VII.
Happier prospects of life VIII. The sea-captain IX. Another
change in life X. The sailor becomes a minister.
Hymns and Poems: a. The kite b. A thought on the
seashore c. Written at Cowslip d. A friend e. The two
debtors f. The Bible g. Trust in Christ h. Saturday Evening
-- Extremely
hard-to-find 1814 edition of "Letters To A
Wife" by John Newton. Includes letters sent
to his wife from 1750 through 1785. Many of these
letters were sent from Africa. John Newton was a hymn
writer who composed the lyrics of "Amazing Grace."
Published by Whitehall in Philadelphia. There is an
appendix in the book about his wife's illness. Bound into
the back of the book in a different type face is a separate
thirty-one page publication entitled "A Monument To The
Praise of the Lord's Goodness, And to the Memory of Dear
Eliza Cunningham."
-- The Minor Poems of the
Inner Temple, by William Cowper. Published,
1818 in London for John Sharpe -- 7" x 4", 108 pages.
This book includes one of
his more famous poems, "The Negro's
Complaint", along
with an engraved image. This fine volume also includes, "Sonnet
to William Wilberforce, Esq.",
"To the Rev. Mr. Newton",
and "Pity For Poor Africans."
Nice gilt tooled full calf leather bound copy with many
engraved plates.
William Cowper
(pronounced Cooper) (November 26, 1731 – April 25, 1800)
was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular
poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th
century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes
of the English countryside. He suffered from periods of
severe depression, and although he found refuge in a fervent
evangelical Christianity, the source of his much-loved
hymns, he often experienced doubt and fears that he was
doomed to eternal damnation. However, his religious
motivations and association with John
Newton (who wrote
the hymn "Amazing Grace")
led to much of the poetry for which he is best remembered in
the popular mind.
-- Rare 1835 engraving of abolitionists William
Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson (8.5 x 5.5) --
together in one etching, just one year after the Slave Trade
had been officially abolished in England.
-- Very scarce
wall plaque
measuring 5 ¾ " X 8 ¾ ". The front reads:-
William Wilberforce 1759 – 1833 M P For Kingston Upon Hull
and Yorkshire, Emancipator. Abolition of Slavery Act 1833.
The back of the plaque has the Eastgate Pottery Withernsea
stamp. Made in England.
We contacted Eastgate Potteries in Withernsea, UK for more
information. The Director, John D. Worsdale responded with
this note, "This
was one of a limited number of plaques manufactured in the
1970's, as a special commission for William Wilberforce
House.
There were only
50 plaques made. I have never seen one for sale, therefore I
cannot give you an estimate on value...It
is extremely rare."
-- Thomas
Clarkson. A Portraiture of Quakerism. Taken From a View
of the Education and Discipline, Social Manners, Civil and
Political Economy, Religious Principles, and Character of
the Society of Friends. First Edition. New York: Samuel Stansbury,
1806. 3 volumes, 12 mo, 363, 382, and 372 pages. Edge worn,
leather covers, foxed and browned paper, owner names
handwritten in volume I (Ann Allen, Francis R. Taylor), a
decorative gilt stamp of Ann H. Allen’s name is in the other
two volumes. "While working for the abolition of
slavery, the author encountered many Quakers and
was impressed by their moral history. Thomas Clarkson
wrote, “I felt also a great desire...to do them justice; for
ignorance and prejudice had invented many expressions
concerning them, to the detriment of their character, when
their conduct never gave me reason to suppose, during all my
intercourse with them to be true.” These three volumes form
a sympathetic history of the Quakers written by a
non-Quaker, with a focus on their moral character,
discipline, beliefs, peculiar customs, and moral education."
-- Thomas Clarkson's 1808 First Edition of, The
History of the Rise, Progress, and Accomplishment of The
Abolition of the African Slave trade by the British
Parliament. -- Clarkson starts out by saying, "No
subject more pleasing that that of the removal of evils --
Evils have existed almost from the beginning of the world --
but there is a power in our nature to counteract them --
this power increased by Christianity -- of the evils removed
by Christianity one of the greatest is the Slave Trade --
The joy we ought to feel on its abolition from a
contemplation of the nature of it -- and of the extent of it
-- and of the difficulty of subduing it -- Usefulness also
of the contemplation of this subject."
-- First Edition
(1854) "Life
Of Thomas Clarkson" by James Elmes. Thomas
Clarkson (1760 – 1846), abolitionist, was born at Wisbech,
Cambridgeshire, England, and became a leading campaigner
against the slave trade in the British Empire. This book
details his contributions toward the abolition of the
Slave-Trade and Slavery. Published by Blackader & Co.,
London. Hardbound in tan waxed cloth. It is
an important piece of social history pertaining to this
turbulent period in both British and American History.
Author, James Elmes (1782 – 1862) was an English architect,
civil engineer, and writer on the arts, he was born in
London.
--
Thomas Clarkson's book, "The History of the
Rise, Progress, and Accomplishment of the Abolition of the
African Slave-Trade by the British Parliament" --
1836 edition written under the supervision of New York
University, 276 pages. Published by John S. Taylor, corner
of Park-Row and Nassau-Street, Opposite the City Hall. This
is the first of a 3 volume set. "The Cabinet of Freedom"
under the supervision of the Hon. William Ray Rev. Prof.
Bush of the University of New York, and Gerrit Smith,
Esq. There is an engraving of a slave in chains and above
the picture are the words "Am I Not a Man and a Brother?"
The size is 7 1/2" X 5". The book talks about how the
slaves were treated on board the slave ships.
-- James
Montgomery-- The Abolition of the Slave Trade: A Poem
in Four Parts. Very hard to find. 1814, folio size, 10" x 12.5", with many
engravings.
London: Printed by T. Bensley.
The poem "The
West Indies," was written to accompany a series of
pictures published as a memorial of the abolition of the
slave-trade. In this genial labour, to which the poet
says he gave his whole mind, as affording him an opportunity
of exposing the iniquities of slavery and the slave-trade.
Importance:
In 1807 a
commission was delivered from the printer Bowyer to write a
poem on the abolition of the slave trade, to be published
along with other poems on the subject in a handsome
illustrated volume. The subject was well adapted to
Montgomery's powers, appealing at once to the philanthropic
enthusiasm in which his strength lay, and to his own
touching associations with the West Indies. Its poem
entitled 'The West Indies' accordingly appeared in Bowyer's
illustrated publication in 1809. Although rather rhetoric
than poetry, is in general well conceived and well
expressed, and skilful as well as sincere in its appeals to
public sentiment. On its first appearance in Bowyer's volume
it proved a failure, but when published separately (London,
1810, 12mo) it obtained great popularity.
James Montgomery:
Born November 4, 1771, in Ayrshire, Scotland, James
Montgomery was brought up and educated by Moravians near
Leeds after his parents left for America, never to return.
He became an editorial assistant to the Sheffield Register
in 1792. Acquiring the newspaper himself, he renamed it the
Isis and in it advocated reformist causes at an unpopular
time, during the French Revolution, and went to jail for his
trouble twice in 1795-96. He returned to his journalism then
and published a book of poems about his imprisonment. This
led to an avocation in poetry and letters. He brought out
volumes of poems and hymns from 1797 until the
mid-19th-century. After 25 years in the news business,
Montgomery retired from journalism and lived on a Literary
Fund pension until his death on April 30, 1854. Throughout
his life he actively worked for humanitarian causes and
gained the respect and affection of his fellow poets.
--
An intriguing hand written
letter (dated March 12, 1792) from Banff, Scotland, written
by George Robinson,
sent to Cam Haliburton, Esq. Edinburgh.
In the letter Robinson states there is a petition to
abolish the slave trade in Scotland......"Sir:
I trust that your sentiments will hopefully accord with mine
on the subject of the African slave trade. I have taken the
liberty to write you this to inform you that I had the honor
to transmit to my worthy friend Mr. Alex Brodie,
Member for this district of Burroughs, a petition by
appointment from the Magistrates of Council of this Burgh,
petitions for the xxxxxxxxxxxx inhabitants of this place
xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx to Mr. Brodie, a petition from Free
Persons of this County and one from the Presbyterian
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx were sent to Sir James xxxxxxxx, Member for
this County for abolishing the Slave Trade. I mention this
in case you should think it proper to inscribe it in any of
your Edinburgh papers. I am very so hopefully, Sir. Your
most obedient servant, George Robinson" (There were some
key words that are illegible, or were part of the paper that
had been torn when opened in 1792.)
-- HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
OF LETTER: William Dickson, a former
secretary to the Governor of Barbados
(Hon. Edward Hay) and the author of 'Letters
on Slavery' (1789), was engaged by the London
Anti-Slavery Society to gain support for the abolition
movement in Scotland. William Dickson has a diary of a visit
to Scotland from January 5th - March 19th, 1792 on behalf of the
Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. It is
probable that the writer of this letter had personal contact
with William Dickson, who originally came from Moffat,
Scotland.
Let's get a sense of Dickson's
feelings about the Slave Trade -- In an 1787 letter to
Thomas Clarkson, Dickson states, "Of
the Africans, above one fourth perished on the voyage to the
West Indies, and four and a half percent more died on
average in the fortnight intervening between the days of
entry and sale. To close this awful triumph of the King of
terrors, about two in five of all whom the planters bought
were lost in seasoning within the first three years and
before they could be said to have yielded any productive
labour. Now if seven years be the average labouring period
of bought slaves, a lot of five should yield thirty five
years of labour; and two of them having died, each of the
other three must yield nearly twelve years or with the three
years of seasoning, nearly fifteen years. But to look for
fifteen years of even blank existence, without labour, from
each of the survivors of a worse than pestilential
mortality, heartless and enfeebled as they must generally
be, would be madly romantic."
One scholar states that
Dickson "one of the most useful and intelligent observers on
the institution of slavery in Barbadoes .. he makes many
shrewd sociological assessments of the working of the slave
system ... an important book for the study of Barbadoes
social history." Dickson was an enlightened man of his day,
who argued for an end to the slave trade and gradual, but
not immediate, emancipation.
-- An extremely rare 1794
edition of "The Journal of John Woolman",
printed in Dublin. It is the first edition printed after his
death. 464 pages, leather-bound. Woolman is said to be the
very first abolitionist in America.
BACKGROUND: John Woolman (October 19, 1720 – October
7, 1772) was an itinerant Quaker preacher, traveling
throughout the American colonies, advocating against
conscription, military taxation, and particularly slavery.
John Woolman came from a family of Friends (Quakers). His
grandfather, also named John Woolman, was one of the early
settlers of New Jersey. His father Samuel Woolman was a
farmer. Their estate was between Burlington and Mount Holly
Township in that state. At age 23 his employer asked him to
write a bill of sale for a slave. He told his employer that
he thought that slave keeping was inconsistent with the
Christian religion. Many Friends believed that slavery
was bad — even a sin — but there was not a universal
condemnation of it among Friends. Some Friends bought slaves
from other people in order to treat them humanely and
educate them. Other Friends seemed to have no conviction
against slavery whatsoever. Woolman took up a concern to
minister to Friends and others in remote places. He went on
his first ministry trip in 1746 with Isaac Andrews. They
went about 1,500 miles round-trip in three months, going as
far south as North Carolina. He preached on many topics,
including slavery during this and other such trips. In 1754
Woolman wrote Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes.
He refused to draw up wills transferring slaves. Working on
a nonconfrontational, personal level, he individually
convinced many Quaker slaveholders to free their slaves. He
attempted personally to avoid using the products of slavery;
for example, he wore undyed clothing because slaves were
used in the making of dyes. Whenever he received hospitality
from a slaveholder, he insisted on paying the slaves for
their work in attending him. Woolman worked within the
Friends traditions of seeking the guidance of the Spirit of
Christ and patiently waiting to achieve unity in the Spirit.
He went from one Friends meeting to another and expressed
his concern about slaveholding. One by one the various
meetings began to see the evils of slavery and wrote minutes
condemning it. In his lifetime, Woolman did not succeed in
eradicating slavery even within the Society of Friends in
the United States; however, his personal efforts changed
Quaker viewpoints. In 1790 the Society of Friends petitioned
the United States Congress for the abolition of slavery. The
fair treatment of people of all races is now part of the
Friends Testimony of Equality. The Journal of John Woolman
is considered to be an important spiritual document.
--
Extracts from The Minutes
of the Yearly Meeting Of Friends (Quakers) held in
Philadelphia 1856. Philadelphia: T. Ellwood Chapman
No. 1 South Fifth Street, 1856. 24 pages with front and back
cover. Includes following Meetings: Philadelphia; Abington;
Bucks; Concord; Caln; Western; Southern; Burlington;
Haddonfield; Salem; Fishing Creek. T. Ellwood Chapman was an
important publisher of Quaker and Anti-Slavery tracts in the
1850s and 1860s.
-- "William Lloyd Garrison: The Story of His Life",
1st Edition books (I&II), 1885, by his children.
--
Autographed letter (8” x 9 ¾”) signed, front and back, March
7, 1870, from Wendell Phillips to Rev. Francis Hodgson.
“…Hearing that our change of my lecture to the Last Acts,
has been objected to and some fault found with yourself…I
desire to say…that the fault, if any, belongs entirely to
me….”
Background: Wendell Phillips (1811-1884) was a
prominent abolitionist. A wealthy graduate of Harvard Law
School, Phillips sacrificed social status and a prospective
political career in order to join the antislavery movement.
His reputation as an inspirational orator was established
with his address at an abolitionist meeting in 1837 to
protest the murder of Elijah Lovejoy. He became an associate
of William Lloyd Garrison and lectured widely at meetings of
the American Anti-Slavery Society, serving as its president
from 1865 to 1870. He also advocated prohibition, woman
suffrage, prison reform, regulation of corporations, and
labour reform.
8. Steel/wood engravings, etchings, handwritten/signed
letters, books, and/or CDVs (many with
facsimile or genuine signatures) of anti-slavery abolitionists, like John Jay,
Henry Thornton (relative of William Wilberforce), Isaac Hopper (founded the Underground Railroad), Charles Dickens, John
Greenleaf Whittier, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Daniel Webster, Ben Franklin, William Wadsworth Longfellow,
William Henry Seward, William
Wilberforce, Granville Sharp, Isaac Hopper, Thomas Clarkson,
Salmon P. Chase, Henry Wilson, Alphonse de Lamartine, Horace Greeley, John Andrews,
Schuyler Colfax, Edwin Stanton, Philip Sheridan, William T.
Sherman, Ulysses Grant, Cassius Clay, Hannah Moore, Owen Lovejoy, Gerrit
Smith, Joshua Giddings, John Quincy Adams, Benjamin Lundy,
Oliver Howard, William Buckingham, James Montgomery, David G. Farragut,
Thaddeus Stevens, Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Zachary Macauley,
Joseph Sturge, Wendell Phillips, Harriet Beecher Stowe,
William Cowper, Charles Fox, William Cullen Bryant, Fanny (Frances) Kemble, William
Forster, William Pitt, Frederick Douglass,
William Lloyd Garrison, William Henry Brisbane, Edmund Quincy, Henry Ward
Beecher, Martin Delany, Charles Sumner, Elihu Burritt, Henry Wilson, Lord
Brougham, James Russell Lowell, William Smith and many others...
9. "The Internal Administration of The Imperial
Guard 1945 E.C."280 pages. This very rare book is hand
stamped by the Imperial Guard and contains the rules,
regulations, and forms of the Imperial Guard of His Majesty
Haile Selassie I. This book contains a nice photo of
Haile Selassie I, many fold out forms and lists showing the
many regulations of the Imperial Guard. Intriguing.
-- World Tour Book of His Majesty Haile Selassie's visit
to America in 1954 (mint condition), published by
Ethiopian Government.
10. League of Nations: Committee Reports on the Question
of Slavery. 18 different reports dating from 1923-1930
-- 2 are in French, the rest in English that deal with the
question of slavery, including slavery conventions.
The reports are 8" x 14' tall. There is one report: 'Communication
with the Government of Liberia' (1930) that is a bound
booklet of 128 pp. The rest of the booklets are 1pp-20pp
each. Includes: Communication with the Government of
Sudan, Annual Reports, Communication with the
Government of Liberia.
11. Handwritten letter signed by author of Count of Monte
Cristo and The Three Musketeers, Alexandre Dumas,
along with a First Edition set of his major works. Alexandre
Dumas was born in Villes-Cotterêts.
BACKGROUND: His grandfather was a
French nobleman, who had settled in Santo Domingo (now part
of Haiti); his paternal grandmother, Marie-Cessette, was an
Afro-Caribbean, who had been a black slave in the French
colony (now part of Haiti). Dumas did not generally define
himself as a black man and there is not much evidence that
he encountered overt racism during his life. However, his
works were popular among the 19th-century African-Americans,
partly because in The Count of Monte-Cristo, the
falsely imprisoned Edmond Dantès, may be read as a parable
of emancipation. In a shorter work, Georges (1843,
George), Dumas examined the question of race and
colonialism. The main character, a half-French mulatto,
leaves Mauritius to be educated in France, and returns to
avenge himself for the affronts he had suffered as a boy --
order postcard of Dumas
-- December 15th, 1870 issue of New York Herald, "Death
of Alexandre Dumas".
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12.
Abridgement of the Debates of Congress
from 1789 to 1856 from Gales and Seaton's Annals of
Congress; from Their Register of Debates; and from the
Official Reported Debates. By John C. Rives - Vol XII covers
the debates of the 22nd Congress, 1832-1836. New
York: D. Appleton, 1860. Assumed First.
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