Details
Creator Whitney, Jocelyn & Annin engraver.
Contributor Mayer, E. H.
Title Inspection and sale of a Negro [graphic] / F. Mayer ; Whitney, Jocelyn, Annin sc.
Publisher [New York: s.n]
Publisher NY. New York. 1854
Date [1854]
Physical Description 1 print: engraving; image 9 x 13 cm. (3.5 x 5.25 in)
Description Scene is set in the town of Bangalang, near the modern city of Kambia in Sierra Leone. According to Théophile Conneau's narrative, the engraving shows the notorious slave-trader Jack Ormond as he inspects a slave for purchase. As Conneau explained, "As each negro was brought before him, Ormond examined the subject, without regard to sex, from head to foot. A careful manipulation of the chief muscles, joints, arm pits and groins was made, to assure soundness. The mouth, too, was inspected, and if a tooth was missing, it was noted as a defect liable to deduction. Eyes, voice, lungs, fingers and toes were not forgotten; so that when the negro passed from the Mongo's [i.e, "King of the River," Ormond's nickname] hands without censure, he might have been readily adopted as a good 'life' by an insurance company." (p. 94) To the left of the central pair, another European slave-trader (presumably the seller) sits on a crate, smoking a cigar as he watches the inspection. His book, the quill, and the ink-well suggest that he is prepared to record the day's transactions. To the right, another European trader converses with three African merchants, possibly members of the Mandingo tribe. The subject of their discussion may be the sale of goods in Africans' trunk.
Is part of Conneau, Théophile. Captain Canot; or, twenty years of an African slaver. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 346 & 348 Broadway; London: 16 Little Britain, 1854.
Notes Illustrated plate in Théophile Conneau's Captain Canot; or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver (New York: D. Appleton and Company, 346 & 348 Broadway; London: 16 Little Britain, M.DCCC.LIV [1854]), p. 94.
Fels Afro-Americana Image Project, Images from the Slave Trade.
Subject Slave trade -- Sierra Leone -- Pictorial works -- 19th century.
Genre Engravings -- 1850-1860.
Book illustrations -- 1850-1860.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Books & Other Texts | Rare | Am 1854 Can 10796.D p 94
Accession number 10796.D