IMPORTANT "JOHN BROWN WAS OUR FRIEND" & "EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL" C. 1859 HAND PAINTED BANNERS.
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Starting Bid:
$5,900.00
(Includes 18% Buyer's Premium)
Bidding Ended:
Wednesday, November 6, 2019 9:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Wednesday, November 6, 2019 9:00:00 PM)
Item Description
About 24x28" each. Following his October 1859 failed attempt to lead a raid on the Federal Armory at Harpers Ferry, VA, Brown was indicted for the killing of pro-slavery Virginians, inciting a slave insurrection and treason against the State of Virginia. Found guilty of all counts he was sentenced to death by hanging on Dec 2, 1859. Brown, already a notorious figure, had the full attention of the nation with his trial and execution widely covered by media. A polarizing figure considered a militant lunatic by many and a devout heroic martyr by others. Anti-slavery advocates responded immediately after his death evidenced by contemporary reporting of prayer meetings and support gatherings throughout the North. These banners were likely made by such a supporter, moved in the days/weeks following the execution of the abolitionist firebrand. The hanging "N" and "D", in "Brown" and "Friend", indicate that these were produced with some haste and likely by an amateur rather than one of the professional banner designers prevalent during the era. A series of holes along the edges suggest these were likely mounted front/back on a wooden frame for display in a parade or other demonstration. They were obtained by the consignor over 30 years ago at an eastern Pennsylvania auction and remained in a flat file until last year. Fragile, highly soiled and bearing scars from their 160 years of survival, conservation efforts were undertaken to clean, stabilize and revive these important historical textiles. Edge losses and separations were controlled by mounting to a cotton backing and paint losses were in-painted reviving their visual prowess. All conservation efforts were to the highest professional standards and are reversible. Brown's importance in American history can not be overstated, the events in the months leading to the production of these banners festered leading to the dissolving of the Union and a mere 16 months later a descent into civil war. Material contemporary to Brown's execution is rare and limited mostly to letters, pamphlets, photographs, exonumia and broadsides- these are the only textiles we have encountered in our 52 years. Large enough to make for an imposing display yet not so big as to be considered unwieldy, they would display beautifully in a private home or office and are truly worthy of the too oft-used 'museum quality' superlative.
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