CDV, Parson William G. Brownlow

Governor of Tennessee and United States Senator from Tennessee

(1805-77) Born in Wythe County, Virginia, he was a leading Tennessee Unionist during the Civil War. He was originally a Methodist minister, thus earning the lifelong nickname of "Parson." He became editor of the Knoxville Whig in 1849. Although a strong pro-slavery man, he violently opposed secession in 1861, and soon became a leader of Unionist elements in east Tennessee. Confederate authorities suppressed his newspaper and later imprisoned him for several months...  

The Liberator, August 1, 1862

Anti Slavery Newspaper published by the famous abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison

Boston, Friday, August 1, 1862. Vol. XXXII. No. 31. Large masthead at the top featuring engravings of a slave auction at the left, and a hopeful scene at the right of an emancipated slave family. 4 pages, 18 x 24. Articles include: General McClellan's Strategy. The Army of the Potomac. Abolition Puritanism. Union Officers Mutilating Passes to Accommodate Rebel Spies. Proclaim Liberty Throughout all the Land, to all Inhabitants Thereof. No Union With...  

Autograph, Judge George M. Stroud

Important Early Anti-Slavery Abolitionist

RETAIL PRICE $50.00

(1795-1875) Born on October 12, 1795, in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, he was educated at Princeton, was an American jurist, and author, who played a major role in the recognition of the horrors of the institution of slavery which was one of the primary causes of the War Between The States. Stroud was the author of a "Sketch Of The Laws Relating To Slavery In The Several States Of The United States Of America." Even before the Dred Scott decision, Stroud's book had...  

Stereo View, Slaves Picking Cotton on a Georgia Plantation

Pair of wet plate photographs, mounted to 7 x 3 1/2, card stock. Group of negro slaves working in the cotton fields picking cotton. The group consists of men, women and a young girl standing in the foreground next to a cotton basket. Negro man at upper left is carrying a basket full of cotton on his back. An overseer on horseback is visible at the upper center of the view. Title imprint on the front mount: Cotton is King. Plantation Scene, Georgia, U.S.A. Copyright 1895 by Strohmeyer & Wyman. Imprint at edge of mount, Strohmeyer & Wyman, Publisher, New...  

1860 Farmers & Mechanics Bank $2 Note, Savannah, Georgia

With vignette of Slaves picking cotton

June 1, 1860, Savannah, Georgia, with vignettes of slaves picking and carrying cotton at right, and farm animals at left. There is also a railroad train at the bottom center of this attractive black and orange bank note. Two Dollars at center, with "2" at upper left and right. Printed by the American Bank Note Co. Very fine plus condition.

WBTS Trivia: The Farmers and Mechanics Bank, of Savannah, Georgia, was formerly known as The Mechanics Savings Bank, and it started business in 1860,...  

The Gallant Charge of the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry Regiment

Fort Wagner, South Carolina, July 18, 1863

The death of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw leading the assault

RETAIL PRICE $75.00

Full color lithograph that measures 14 1/4 x 10 1/2. Imprint below the battle scene: Published by Currier & Ives, 152 Nassau St., New York. Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1863, by Currier & Ives, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of New York. "THE GALLANT CHARGE OF THE FIFTY FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS COLORED REGIMENT, On the...  

Autograph, General Henry C. Corbin

Colonel of the 14th United States Colored Infantry Regiment who he gallantly lead in the Civil War battles of Decatur, Alabama and Nashville, Tennessee!

Commanded African-American troops, the "Buffalo Soldiers" in the U.S. Army in the 1860's and 1870's

Was present as an aide at the death of assassinated President James A. Garfield

He was promoted to Lieutenant General, in 1906, making him the senior ranking officer on active duty in the United States Army

RETAIL PRICE $100.00

(1842-1909) He was born in...  

Robert Scott, New York Black Yankees

Negro League Baseball Player, 1946-1950

RETAIL PRICE $35.00

(1931-2020) Born in Macon, Georgia, on June 22, 1931, Scott played 4 seasons as a pitcher in the Negro League as a member of the New York Black Yankees. Nicknamed, "Bob," he debuted as a sixteen year old rookie in 1946, and played through the 1950 season. He was selected by the New York Mets, in 2008, in Major League Baseball's special draft to honor former players of the Negro Baseball Leagues, and was honored by the Atlanta Braves in a special ceremony at Turner...  

Home Made Cover Carried by the Mississippi Steamboat Brilliant

Addressed to an historic Antebellum woman cotton plantation owner in Louisiana!

This is a circa 1840's home made envelope that was constructed by using an 8 x 10 thick, blank sheet of writing paper that was folded into an envelope. Bold and neatly addressed in ink to Mrs. Rachel O'Connor, St. Francisville, La. Written at the bottom left corner is "Brilliant" which is the name of the steamboat that carried this envelope, and whatever contents it may have once contained, quite possibly a letter from her half brother David, her...  

Negroes Escaping Out Of Slavery

RETAIL PRICE $95.00

Authentic, original wood cut engraving that has been hand tinted in color and was published in the May 7, 1864 issue of Harper's Weekly. Caption: Negroes Escaping Out Of Slavery. Sketched by A.R. Waud. 15 1/2 x 11. Harper's Weekly and date are printed in the margin. War date slave related sketch done by the celebrated illustrator A.R. Waud.  

African American Civil War Soldier

Franchise, And Not This Man?

Featuring a wounded, amputee United States Negro Soldier!

RETAIL PRICE $125.00

Authentic, original woodcut engraving that was published in the August 5, 1865 issue of Harper's Weekly. Caption: FRANCHISE, And Not This Man? This poignant illustration shows Columbia with patriotic adornments all around the scene. Columbia is standing with her hand on the shoulder of a wounded negro soldier in uniform. The soldier is holding his kepi in one hand while he proudly stands wearing the uniform of the Union...  

Freed Negroes Coming Into Union Lines at Newbern, North Carolina

RETAIL PRICE $50.00

Authentic, original woodcut engraving that was published in the February 21, 1863 issue of Harper's Weekly. Caption: The Effects of the Proclamation; Freed Negroes Coming Into Our Lines at Newbern, North Carolina. 15 1/2 x 10 3/4. Harper's Weekly and date are printed in the margin. Historical 1863 illustration.

WBTS Trivia: The Proclamation referred to in the caption is President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation which was issued on January 1, 1863.