Sale 2471 - Printed & Manuscript African Americana, March 29, 2018

THE FIRST AMERICAN ENGRAVING OFTHE SLAVE SHIP BROOKS 1 c   (SLAVERY AND ABOLITION.) Plan of an African Ship’s Lower Deck, with Negroes, in the Proportion of Not Quite One to a Ton. Engraving, 5 x 16 inches, tipped to a double-sided leaf of text titled “Extract from the American Museum, for May 1789” by W. Elford; disbound on left edge, minimal foxing and wear. [Philadelphia], May 1789 [3,000/4,000] The famous deck plan of the slave ship Brooks was one of the most powerful images of the early anti-slavery movement. It first appeared in England in March 1789, as part of a 4-page pamphlet byW. Elford. It was re-engraved for its first American appearance in the May 1789 issue of the American Museum, a popular magazine from Philadelphia.The image is reversed from the English printing, with the front of the ship facing left. In response to general interest from American abolitionists, the present extract was produced, pairing the American engraving with Elford’s original text. Only two other copies of this extract printing have been traced, both at the American Antiquarian Society.We have found none at auction. It is not listed in Evans or in Bristol’s Evans supplement, but appears as Shipton & Mooney 45560 in their digital edition of Evans imprints. ESTCW31281. SLAVERY & ABOLITION LOTS 1 - 70 THE MIDDLE PASSAGE: LOTS 1 - 5