Sale 343


 
Lot 3004



Slave "Gordon" Carte de Visite Photograph, sepia image of the profile and horribly scarred back of a young black male slave who had bull-whipped after being captured trying to escape; Very Fine and exceedingly rare, especially in this choice condition. Only about seven are known to exist.
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000

A RARE CARTE DE VISTE BEARING AN ICONIC SLAVERY PHOTOGRAPH.

Known only as Gordon, this young man escaped from his masters by rubbing his body with onion to hide his scent from tracking dogs. He made it across Union lines where Northern abolitionists had this photograph taken to publicize the horrors of slavery. When the image was reproduced in
Harper's, it bore the caption "Gordon Under Medical Inspection." The photo was the basis for a drawing used to illustrate an article entitled "A Typical Negro" in the July 4, 1863 issue of Harper's Weekly (see next lot). Although a well-known image in its day, it is rarely encountered today in CDV format.

 
Realized $1,300



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