Emancipation CDV - Hand-Colored Carte-de-Visite Allegorical Illustration of Lady Liberty Freeing Slaves

African American, Emancipation

CDV -Carte de Visit Photo

Hand-colored albumen photograph representing an allegorical carte-de-visite of Emancipation. 1863. Published by "John Sowle, 14 Summer St., Boston." Illustration by George Gardner Fish. 3 1/2 x 2 1/4 inches on photographer's mount. Lady Liberty brandishes the Emancipation Proclamation, while two scantily clad enslaved people wrap her in the American flag. The trope of kneeling slaves receiving their freedom was widely distributed and has since been heavily criticized for putting freed slaves in positions of humble gratitude, an extension of their subjugation. Similiar images can be seen in the Liberator masthead in the 1840s (with Christ as the liberating figure), and in the oft-criticized 1876 Emancipation Memorial featuring Abraham Lincoln. Minimal wear. Overall very good condition.

Item #18030

Price: $2,500.00