The Slave Pictures

The Slave Gallery Features Original 1860's illustrations of Slaves. 

Each illustration is original, and is over 130 years old. Click on Images for Larger View.  I have a lot of original Civil War Material on Blacks, Slaves, and Buffalo Soldiers.  If you don't find what you want here, email me, and I will put it up for you to see.  I eventually hope to have my entire collection up for friends to view, but it takes time.

Click Here for Even More Slavery Pictures

Original Slave Map of South Carolina

This is a rare and important historical piece.  Period material with significant slave content is becoming more difficult to find, and this is a really nice and displayable piece.  The map is captioned, "Map of South Carolina, Showing the Proportion of Slaves in Each County."  Adjacent to the map is a nice story entitled, "Our Map of South Carolina".  The story is full of rich historical material.  I was surprised to learn that in some counties, including Charleston, more than 90% of the population was enslaved.  The map also shows all the Railroads in South Carolina, as well as the major cities, and the court houses.

It is really interesting to hold this print in your hand, and consider that on the day it was printed human beings were actually being held in bondage in this country.  Gazing at this print really takes you back in time to an unfortunate chapter of our Nation's history.  It is a beautiful print, and will make a stunning display when framed and placed in your office or study.  

H1861P741          Price $225

The Slave Auction

You are viewing  a rare 1864 illustration featuring a Slave Auction and other incredible slave content.  It is from an original 1864 edition of Harper's Weekly, the most popular newspaper of the day.  Note that this is not a reprint, and I absolutely guarantee its authenticity.  This leaf is over 130 years old, and the date  is clearly marked on the front of the print. On the day this leaf was printed, Abraham Lincoln was president of the United States, the Civil War was raging on, and men and women were bought and sold like cattle across our land.

Simply stated, this is the rarest and most historically important slave illustration to be found.  It represents a highly collectible piece, rich with incredible historic content.  It captures the full human cost of the institution of Slavery, and was produced at a time that Slavery was an institution in this nation.  It was created by Thomas Nast, one of the most celebrated artists of the 1800's.  Thomas Nast was famous for creating the popular image of Santa Claus, and the Republican Elephant.

The leaf contains no less than 19 striking inset illustrations of the tragedy of slavery.  Featured prominently near the center of the print is an illustration of a Slave Auction.  In the image, a beautiful young woman is pictured with her head slung low, standing on the auction block, being sold to the highest bidder.  Behind her stands the auctioneer, gavel in hand, about to complete the sale of another enslaved human.  On the auctioneers podium reads the words, "States Rights, Auction of Slaves and niXXer Union Soldiers".  In the audience, the high bidder can be seen with an evil grin on his face, as the auction is completed.  To the side of the auction block kneels the woman's husband and small child, about to be auctioned off in separate auctions.  The child clings to his father, as if he knows this is the last few moments the family will ever be together.  This image, more than any other, captures the unimaginable inhumanity of the institution of Slavery.

The next inset presents another poignant image of the cruelty of Slavery.  A slave is pictured tied to a tree being brutally beaten by two men.  The man is collapsed in pain, but is unable to fall to the ground, because he is roped to a tree.  The men whip him mercilessly.  Two other black men are pictured on the ground, undoubtedly about to receive the same fate.

Another image includes a riot in which white men are beating a group of blacks with clubs.  One black man is on the ground.  His attacker has him by the throat and is about to deliver the death blow with a club.  Even a child is shown stomping the downed man.  Another man is holding a black child in the air, and is beating him mercilessly with a club.  

The next image shows the plight of two runaway slaves.  They are pictured being pursued by a hunting party, led by a pack of dogs.  The dogs have caught the two unfortunate slaves, have them on the ground and are mauling them as the men catch up.  The two downed slaves pay the ultimate price for their unquenchable desire for freedom.

Another image shows a group of men who have captured a Union Buffalo Soldier, and are returning him to bondage.  Other images include pictures of Jefferson Davis, George McClellan, Ulysses S.  Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, and other Generals of the day.  Draped across the top of the illustration are images of tattered flags, with the names of Civil War battles etched on the stripes.

Finally, the leaf does present a ray of hope.  President Abraham Lincoln is pictured standing on a stage, in front of a group of slaves, reading them the emancipation proclamation; boldly declaring their freedom, and the end of the cruelty of human bondage. The crowd of slaves are pictured celebrating, praying and giving thanks. Surrounding all the poignant images are the words from the 1864 Democratic National Convention platform.  In the center of the Print is pictured George McClellan, Democratic Candidate for President of the United States.

WOW- what can I say.  You are simply not going to find a more important historical piece. This is an extremely rare illustration, and I do not know if I will ever be able to offer another one.  As you hold this leaf in your hand, and gaze at the images, consider the world on the day it was printed.  It is hard to believe that on the day this leaf was printed, the events depicted were actually occurring.  Holding this print is your hand gives you a sense of connection with these events that is hard to explain.  You can almost hear the cries of the multitudes suffering the pains of captivity.

This illustration will make a stunning display when framed and placed in your office or study.  It will become the center of attention wherever it is displayed.  Visitors will no doubt have endless questions about the print. It will make an excellent addition to your collection, or a wonderful gift for any student of Black History.  I assure you that this leaf will not only be cherished by its new owner, but by generations to come.  What other purchase that you make this year will have such enduring value?

Slave Auction: $250

Original Print of Civil War Buffalo Soldiers

This print is the cover page of an original 1863 Harper's Weekly, and shows a crowd of several hundred Negro Soldiers, along with a number of black women and children. Some of the  people are in civilian clothes, while others are shown in their Union Army Uniforms.  One person can be seen proudly carrying the flag of the United States of America.  In the background, General Thomas can be seen with his arm raised, giving his speech.  This is a stunning print, with a lot of important historical content.  The woman in the foreground is holding a small child.  She has a bandana over her hair, and two small children by her side.  She appears to be talking to one of the soldiers in the crowd, possibly her husband.

Making this an even more extraordinary piece is that above the picture is the news account of the event.  The story is entitled, "The Negro Troops in the Southwest", and the story is  fascinating to read, especially when you consider it was printed within days of the actual event. This story is simply overflowing with superb historical content. The story states, "The utmost attention was given by the entire audience; and it may safely be said that no so singular and impressive scene has ever been enacted during the was as the General of the United States Army addressing Negro soldiers, civilians, and women and children, on the duties and responsibilities of freedom, and that in the most southern of all the Slave States." Wow- imagine owning such an important and rare historical document!  H1863P721          Price $195