Page 99 - Swann Galleries - Printed & Manuscript African Americana- Sale 2308 - March 21, 2013

155 ● (SLAVERY AND ABOLITION.) WEDGWOOD, JOSIAH. “Am I Not a Man
and [a Brother].” Small piece of clear quartz crystal engraved with the classic image of a
kneeling slave; chipped with the loss of “a Brother.” Slightly tapered: 1.05 x 1.05 x 1.00 x
1.00 cm probably set in a ring. [England, circa 1800] [500/750]
An exquisitely engraved piece of quartz crystal that was probably once set in a ring to be used
with sealing wax. Unfortunately it was damaged somewhere along its way. This image, together
with that of the infamous slave ship’s hold are without question the most iconic of the anti-slav-
ery movement on both sides of the Atlantic. African American engraver Patrick Reason’s female
version of the kneeling slave appeared as the frontispiece of “The Fountain for Every Day of
the Year.” (1836). SEE LOT____
155
156
156 ● (SLAVERY AND ABOLITION.)
[WEDGEWOOD, JOSAIAH.] L’Esclave
Negre, Relation Interessante et
Authentique. No 14. 24 pages. Wood
engraving of the classic kneeling slave
with the motto “Am I Not A Man and a
Brother,” in French.
Guernesey: Dumaresq et Mauger, 1823
[400/600]
A RARE IMPRINT FROM THE ISLAND OF
GUERNSEY, IN THE ENGLISH CHANEL
Guernsey is a British possession located off the
coast of Normandy. This anti-slavery pamphlet
bears a crude wood-engraved version of Josiah
Wedgewood’s famous “Am I Not a Man and
A Brother” design for the British and Foreign
Anti Slavery Society. The story is told in the
first person of a Protestant minister, who is
approached by a naval officer whose ship had
stopped at the island. While there, he brought
his slave, a young man, to the author, to have
him baptized. The narrative, in three parts is
largely told in the form of a conversation
between the cleric and the slave. No copy
located in OCLC.