A Slave Auction in Virginia
This engraving shows a man and woman (with a child in her arms) on an auction block, surrounded by white men. G. H. Andrews explained how "The auction rooms for the sale of Negroes are situated in the main streets, and are generally the ground floors of the building; the entrance-door opens straight into the street, and the sale room is similar to any other auction room. . . placards, advertisements, and notices as to the business carried on are dispensed with, the only indications of the trade being a small red flag hanging from the front door post, and a piece of paper upon which is written. . . this simple announcement - 'Negroes for sale at auction'" (p.138-140). George Henry Andrews (1816-1898) was a British engineer, marine painter, watercolourist and illustrator. In 1860, he was sent to North America to cover the Prince of Wales's tour of Canada and the U.S. He made his sketches on the spot.
Image Title
A Slave Auction in Virginia
RegID
SI-OB-869
Date
1861
Title
A Slave Auction in Virginia
Source
George Henry Andrews, "Slave Auctions in Richmond, Virginia," The Illustrated London News, vol. 38 (Feb. 16, 1861), p.139.
Language
English
Item sets
Slave Sales & Auctions: African Coast & the Americas
Spatial Coverage
North America--Virginia--Richmond
Reproduced In
A composite engraving in L'illustration, Journal Universel (vol. 37 [1861], p. 148), misleadingly giving the impression that the scene is an original depiction of a slave sale in South Carolina. See image NW0027. This illustration also in Mary Evans Picture Library website with an unattributed source (picture no. 10044451).
Researchers
Jerome Handler; Michael Tuite; Henry B. Lovejoy Graduate Research Assistants: Tiffany Beebe; Travis May
Last Updated
26-Jan-15; 28-Aug-19
Identifier
auction_Richd_1861