A carved ballast stone recovered from a 16th century slaveship highlights Swann Galleries’ March 10th auction of African American relics, printed matter, and manuscripts. The stone, used to shift the center of gravity in sailing vessels, is carved with an elephant’s face, probably the work of a slave during a long passage. Recovered from a wreck on the Little Bahama Banks, it’s estimated at $8,000-$12,000.
Also in the sale are a variety of handwritten documents related to the slave trade, such as a manuscript account book for the slaves kept on the L’Habitation Labranche plantation (1807-1835), estimated at $6,000-$8,000, and a collection of letters, documents, and books related to Frederick Douglass,
Read more at Swann’s.
