LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Feb Americana Grand Format Auction #659  / 

25265

1800 Charleston MECHANIC Slave Hire Badge #183

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Cultures & Ethnicities Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
1800 Charleston MECHANIC Slave Hire Badge #183
<B>1800 Charleston MECHANIC Slave Hire Badge. Number 183.</B></I> A flat octagonal-shaped tag with a hole at the top for suspension, 40mm x 43mm. The "Atmar" hallmark on the reverse at the top denotes manufacture by Ralph Atmar, Jr. He was a goldsmith and engraver whose parents had been banished from Charleston in 1781 by the British because they would not take the loyalty oath. Ralph Atmar, Sr. brought his family back to South Carolina in 1782 and later became a messenger of the state house of representatives. The elements on the obverse are as follows (top to bottom): an engraved "No 183"; "MECHANIC" in individual punches; and "1800" punched. The condition is fine with some light surface roughness and a dark brown patina. Note that there is no "Charleston" on these first year badges. <BR><BR>Although Charleston had licensing laws and issued badges to hired-out slaves as early as 1764, none of these badges are known to have survived. The law that called the badges offered here into existence was passed in July 1800 to go into effect in mid-August of that year. It mandated that masters who hired slaves out as laborers would have to purchase a badge for the slave to wear with fees dependent upon the occupation. The <I>City Gazette</B></I> of September 3, 1800 announced: "Denomination and Price of said badges are as follows: Huckster, not under thirty years of age, six dollars per badge. Mechanic, three dollars. Porters and cart and dray men, two dollars. Washers, Fishers and Hired Servants, one dollar." There were 2116 badges issued in this first year indicating that more than 20% of the slaves in the city of Charleston participated in this system. The Mechanic is one of the rarer occupations and, according to our research, this particular badge is the third lowest number known for this year making it one of the earliest produced of all Charleston slave hire badges and the cornerstone of any advanced collection.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Small Collectibles (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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