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

25271

1817 Charleston FISHER Slave Hire Badge #14

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Cultures & Ethnicities Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
1817 Charleston FISHER Slave Hire Badge #14
<B>1817 Charleston FISHER Slave Hire Badge. Number 14.</B></I> A flat diamond-shaped (as expected in odd-numbered years during this period) tag with clipped corners and a hole at the top for suspension, 64mm x 66mm. A clearly punched "LAFAR" hallmark on the reverse near the top indicates manufacture by J. J. LaFar, a Charleston silversmith. The elements on the obverse are as follows (top to bottom): "*CHARLESTON*" in a crescent-shaped bar punch (the "*C" is weakly struck); "No" in a square punch followed by an incuse "14" in individual punches; "FISHER" in a rectangular punch; and "1817" bar punched. The condition is generally fine with a split running top to bottom near the right edge, patina is greenish brown, and the surface is a bit uneven. Overall though, the appearance is nice with a particularly well-struck occupation. <BR><BR>It is estimated that 2157 badges were issued for the 1817 date. A city census published in an 1817 issue of the <I>Courier</B></I> would indicate that approximately 18% of the 11,215 slaves in the city worked in the hire system. The Fisher was a skilled occupation and is very rarely offered, making up maybe 2% of the total known badges. The rarity coupled with a low two-digit number, large size, and bold appearance, should cause some spirited bidding on this badge.<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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