May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
229
Brittania Set Me Free
Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection
(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION)
[WEDGWOOD, JOSAIAH]. Britania Set Me Free. Shadowbox with a rectangular (3 1/2 x 3 inch) painting of Britannia pointing her hand at the classic Wedgwood-designed figure of the kneeling slave, whose body is made of black wax or resin; tiny metallic chains fall from his wrists, while a banner flows from his mouth with the motto "Britannia Set me Free." All of this is beneath a convex piece of glass, bearing a delicate reverse painting of a white decorative border over the painting beneath, the whole of this is set within a gilt-painted, recessed circular wooden frame, which in turn is contained in a typical nineteenth-century square frame. Np [Great Britain], circa 1834.
An unusual piece, more than likely created on the occasion of Great Britain's emancipation of her slaves in the West Indies in 1834. Josiah Wedgewood (1730-1795), a dedicated abolitionist and close friend of Thomas Clarkson, designed the "logo" of the kneeling slave for the Society for the Abolition of Slavery in 1787. It originally bore the caption "Am I not a Man and a Brother." This was taken up by the American abolitionists, and in 1835 Patrick Reason, a young black engraver created a version of a kneeling woman that bore the caption "Am I not a Woman and a Sister?" This is tentatively dated to 1834 because of the Act of Parliament emancipating all of Great Britain's slaves in the West Indies in that year. The earlier successes of Wilberforce and Clarkson that resulted in the 1807 ban on the taking of slaves from Africa would not have been as stated as definitely as "Britannia set me free." We have also observed another similar piece from the same period, a reverse painting on glass that was sold in a March 1st, 2012 auction.
Sold for $2,048
Estimated at $1,500 - $2,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Estate / Collection: Property from the Rotondaro Collection
(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION)
[WEDGWOOD, JOSAIAH]. Britania Set Me Free. Shadowbox with a rectangular (3 1/2 x 3 inch) painting of Britannia pointing her hand at the classic Wedgwood-designed figure of the kneeling slave, whose body is made of black wax or resin; tiny metallic chains fall from his wrists, while a banner flows from his mouth with the motto "Britannia Set me Free." All of this is beneath a convex piece of glass, bearing a delicate reverse painting of a white decorative border over the painting beneath, the whole of this is set within a gilt-painted, recessed circular wooden frame, which in turn is contained in a typical nineteenth-century square frame. Np [Great Britain], circa 1834.
An unusual piece, more than likely created on the occasion of Great Britain's emancipation of her slaves in the West Indies in 1834. Josiah Wedgewood (1730-1795), a dedicated abolitionist and close friend of Thomas Clarkson, designed the "logo" of the kneeling slave for the Society for the Abolition of Slavery in 1787. It originally bore the caption "Am I not a Man and a Brother." This was taken up by the American abolitionists, and in 1835 Patrick Reason, a young black engraver created a version of a kneeling woman that bore the caption "Am I not a Woman and a Sister?" This is tentatively dated to 1834 because of the Act of Parliament emancipating all of Great Britain's slaves in the West Indies in that year. The earlier successes of Wilberforce and Clarkson that resulted in the 1807 ban on the taking of slaves from Africa would not have been as stated as definitely as "Britannia set me free." We have also observed another similar piece from the same period, a reverse painting on glass that was sold in a March 1st, 2012 auction.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.
Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.
A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.
The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.
Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
