11/07/2013

United States 1865 Anti-Slavery, cover from Washington DC to...





United States 1865 Anti-Slavery, cover from Washington DC to Winthrop, Ct., franked with 3c carmine, top portion depicts a whip-wielding slave master, with cotton-picking slaves behind him, the brute exclaiming “come back here, you black rascal.” The slave in turn thumbs his nose at his ex-master, points toward Fort Monroe behind him and responds: “Can’t come back nowhow massa, Dis chile’s Contraband,” light creasing, fine and exceptional item (General Benjamin Butler had devised a politically astute policy and when a Virginia slave owner demanded the return of three slaves that had escaped to Fort Monroe, Butler refused, on the grounds that these persons (or property, as considered by the Confederacy) were being used to wage war against the Union (the term “contraband of war” was used to describe such escaped slaves) Lot condition Dealer Cherrystone Auction Auction Estimate price: 450.00 US$ (via Philasearch.com: Cherrystone: U.S. & Worldwide - item 13-A201311-18)



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