Mar 31, 2016 - Sale 2408

Sale 2408 - Lot 99

Price Realized: $ 1,500
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 500 - $ 750
(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION--NARRATIVES.) ALECKSON, SAM. Before the War and After the Union. 171 pages. Small 8vo, original red cloth, lettered in gilt; extremities lightly rubbed. Boston: Golden Mind, 1929

Additional Details

first edition of this unusual and uncommon narrative. Aleckson (1852-1914) was born to slaves in Charleston, SC. While Aleckson's is not a 'corroborated' narrative, in the sense that it can be tied to any specific events; it is a compelling story that is generally accepted by scholars of the genre today. The narrative is a series of vignettes, detailing the life of Aleckson and other slaves that he knew. Aleckson, who paints a benevolent picture of his master and his family, served with the Confederate army during the war, working as many slaves did on the fortifications in and around Charleston. He settled in the North after the war. The copyright for this narrative is given to Samuel Williams. We have been unable to identify him. No copy at auction since 1966.