SLAVERY AND ABOLITION RECONSTRUCTION) The Burial of Radical

Sale 2239 - Lot 108

Price Realized: $ 1,020

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Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200

SLAVERY AND ABOLITION--RECONSTRUCTION.) The Burial of Radicalism in N.C. Nov. 7, 1876. Salt print photograph, 8-7/8x11-3/8 inches; creases where folded; paper strip along the reverse probably from an album; somewhat faded. Np (North Carolina?), 1876

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A most unusual salt-print photograph made from an original drawing and montage, which combined actual mounted photographic portraits of Reconstruction politicians. The piece depicts a group of black politicians standing at the open grave of so-called "Black Radicalism." A note on the casket reads: "Radicalism Settled Within without a hope of Resurrection." To the right are two more black politicians, one on the other's back with the following caption: "A surviving Rad on his last legs."
The Radical Republicans were accused of wanting to keep the nation split in two, with vindictive policies that encouraged trials for Southern leaders, etc. The elections of 1876 saw both a divided Republican Party, and an increase in threats from white groups like the Klan and the "red shirts." This resulted in the defeat of many of black politicians in the South.