EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION OF 13 RARE GENUINE SLAVE TAGS AND ONE SLAVE TOKEN.

Revised: 3/13/2008

(Special Note) Because of additional information regarding this rare collection of Slave Tags we have re-written this description. This description includes some clarification, some additional information, and further defines the condition of these rare pieces. Furthermore, the information comes directly from two of the people who originally owned 11 of these tags. Jeff Pitts, a renowned expert and scholar on slave tags, actually excavated 10 of these slave tags himself. In addition to his scholarly knowledge, Jeff is also known and respected for his ethics in excavating relics. In all 10 cases here, the relics that he excavated were only done so after obtaining explicit rights from the owners of the properties to do so. All 10 of the tags identified as being found by Jeff are not only genuine, but are as he found them and unrestored. One house servant tag was acquired from another well known slave tag scholar.

EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION OF 13 RARE GENUINE SLAVE TAGS AND ONE SLAVE TOKEN. Collection consists of 14 items, 13 of which are genuine slave tags. 1) A large, copper, diamond shaped tag, stamped “Charleston No. 64 Fisher 1823”; maker marked “H. LaFar”. Approx 2-1/8”w. This tag has two holes rather than the normal one hole, one located directly below the other, and it is not known what the purpose was, though it appears to be totally orig. The stamping on this tag is very good. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 2) Extremely rare, eight-sided, copper tag stamped “N 407 House Servant 1800”. On the reverse stamped “Atmar”. Approx. 1-9/16” x 1-9/16”. This extremely early tag is most rare, and in fact, one of the most desirable pieces in this collection. The stamping is very good and the piece has a very nice appearance. There is, near the “N 407”, a professionally filled hole and an appropriate patination. The repair is almost invisible, and we only know of it because we were told. This tag was formerly owned by a scholar and dealer in slave tags. 3) Rectangular, large, copper tag with cut corners, stamped “Charleston No 108 Mechanic 1805”. On reverse stamped “C. Prince”. Approx 2-3/16” x 2-5/16. Desirable, early tag. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 4) Diamond shaped, copper tag stamped “Charleston 1834 Servant No. 1234”. Approx 2” x 2”. Markings are quite clear. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts.. 5) Copper, diamond shaped tag with cut corners stamped “Charleston 722 Porter 1846”. Approx 1-1/2” x 1-1/2”. Stampings are generally good. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 6) Diamond shaped, copper tag stamped “Charleston 858 Porter 1846”. Approx 1-3/4” x 1-3/4”. All marks are readable. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 7) Extremely rare, square, copper tag stamped “C. N. Servant 1848 668”. Approx 2-1/2” square. Corners are folded on 3 of 4 sides, most certainly the way it was found. Stampings are strong. This tag was dug by Jeff Pitts on Spring St in Charleston, S.C. Tags with the “C.N.” marking were only produced for one year (1848) and this tag is genuine & orig. The following 2 years only, slave tags were stamped “Charleston Neck” after which the two towns of Charleston and Charleston Neck merged and neither designation was never used again. This is an extremely rare tag and only a few are known. (More information can be had by referencing Slave Tags & the Slave Hire System in Charleston by Hutchins & Greene). 8) Early, diamond shaped, copper tag with cut corners, stamped “Charleston No. 46 Mechanic 1815”. Stamped on reverse “LaFar”. Most of the markings are strong and readable. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 9) Diamond shaped, copper tag with 3 cut corners, stamped “Charleston 1549 Servant 1844”. Approx 1-3/4” x 1-3/4”. Stamps are reasonably clear and readable. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 10) Copper, diamond shaped tag with 2 slightly cut corners and stamped “Charleston 39 Mechanic 1852”. Approx. 1-9/16” x 1-9/16”. All markings are readable. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 11) Diamond shaped, copper tag with cut corners stamped “Charleston Neck 418 Servant 1849”. Approx. 1-9/16” x 1-9/16”. Marks readable; general, overall scattered pitting. This tag was dug by Jeff Pitts. Genuine slave tags stamped “Charleston Neck” were only made in the years 1849 & 1850 after which the two towns of Charleston and Charleston Neck merged and this designation was never used again. (More information can be had by referencing Slave Tags & the Slave Hire System in Charleston by Hutchins & Greene). 12) Diamond shaped, copper tag with 2 cut corners and stamped on both sides. Front stamped “Charleston 358 Porter 1863”, reverse stamped “Charleston 1862 Servant 2430”. Approx 1-9/16” x 1-9/16”. Marks generally readable on both sides, some low points in letters; appears to be orig. 13) Diamond shaped, copper tag with cut corners stamped on 2 sides. Front stamped “Charleston 380 Mechanic 1850”, reverse stamped “Charleston 2162”. Approx. 1-9/16” x 1-9/16”. Overall scattered pitting; front side and markings generally strong and readable; reverse less strong but readable. 14) Round token, struck on each side, the front with a kneeling, chained slave “am I not a man and a brother” and the reverse with clasped hands “may slavery and oppression cease throughout the world”. Approx. 1-1/8” dia. Markings are worn, but readable. The grouping is displayed in a contemporary, glass topped case. This is an extraordinary collection of excavated tags found around Charleston SC. This amazing group is in generally great condition and it would be extremely difficult to duplicate the quality and diversity found in this collection. The house servant tag is extraordinarily rare and only a few are known to exist as is the wonderful “C.N.” tag. Charleston Neck tags are also very rare. The addition of a fruiter and carpenter would make this a complete set, and as such would be one of only a few complete sets known to exist. SIZE: As noted above. CONDITION: As stated above. 4-32225 JJ (85,000-95,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1393	$184,000.00	Revised: 3/13/2008 (Special Note) Because of additional information regarding this rare collection of Slave Tags we have re-written this description. This description includes some clarification, some additional information, and further defines the condition of these rare pieces. Furthermore, the information comes directly from two of the people who originally owned 11 of these tags. Jeff Pitts, a renowned expert and scholar on slave tags, actually excavated 10 of these slave tags himself. In addition to his scholarly knowledge, Jeff is also known and respected for his ethics in excavating relics. In all 10 cases here, the relics that he excavated were only done so after obtaining explicit rights from the owners of the properties to do so. All 10 of the tags identified as being found by Jeff are not only genuine, but are as he found them and unrestored. One house servant tag was acquired from another well known slave tag scholar. EXTRAORDINARY COLLECTION OF 13 RARE GENUINE SLAVE TAGS AND ONE SLAVE TOKEN. Collection consists of 14 items, 13 of which are genuine slave tags. 1) A large, copper, diamond shaped tag, stamped “Charleston No. 64 Fisher 1823”; maker marked “H. LaFar”. Approx 2-1/8”w. This tag has two holes rather than the normal one hole, one located directly below the other, and it is not known what the purpose was, though it appears to be totally orig. The stamping on this tag is very good. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 2) Extremely rare, eight-sided, copper tag stamped “N 407 House Servant 1800”. On the reverse stamped “Atmar”. Approx. 1-9/16” x 1-9/16”. This extremely early tag is most rare, and in fact, one of the most desirable pieces in this collection. The stamping is very good and the piece has a very nice appearance. There is, near the “N 407”, a professionally filled hole and an appropriate patination. The repair is almost invisible, and we only know of it because we were told. This tag was formerly owned by a scholar and dealer in slave tags. 3) Rectangular, large, copper tag with cut corners, stamped “Charleston No 108 Mechanic 1805”. On reverse stamped “C. Prince”. Approx 2-3/16” x 2-5/16. Desirable, early tag. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 4) Diamond shaped, copper tag stamped “Charleston 1834 Servant No. 1234”. Approx 2” x 2”. Markings are quite clear. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts.. 5) Copper, diamond shaped tag with cut corners stamped “Charleston 722 Porter 1846”. Approx 1-1/2” x 1-1/2”. Stampings are generally good. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 6) Diamond shaped, copper tag stamped “Charleston 858 Porter 1846”. Approx 1-3/4” x 1-3/4”. All marks are readable. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 7) Extremely rare, square, copper tag stamped “C. N. Servant 1848 668”. Approx 2-1/2” square. Corners are folded on 3 of 4 sides, most certainly the way it was found. Stampings are strong. This tag was dug by Jeff Pitts on Spring St in Charleston, S.C. Tags with the “C.N.” marking were only produced for one year (1848) and this tag is genuine & orig. The following 2 years only, slave tags were stamped “Charleston Neck” after which the two towns of Charleston and Charleston Neck merged and neither designation was never used again. This is an extremely rare tag and only a few are known. (More information can be had by referencing Slave Tags & the Slave Hire System in Charleston by Hutchins & Greene). 8) Early, diamond shaped, copper tag with cut corners, stamped “Charleston No. 46 Mechanic 1815”. Stamped on reverse “LaFar”. Most of the markings are strong and readable. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 9) Diamond shaped, copper tag with 3 cut corners, stamped “Charleston 1549 Servant 1844”. Approx 1-3/4” x 1-3/4”. Stamps are reasonably clear and readable. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 10) Copper, diamond shaped tag with 2 slightly cut corners and stamped “Charleston 39 Mechanic 1852”. Approx. 1-9/16” x 1-9/16”. All markings are readable. Genuine and original as found by Jeff Pitts. 11) Diamond shaped, copper tag with cut corners stamped “Charleston Neck 418 Servant 1849”. Approx. 1-9/16” x 1-9/16”. Marks readable; general, overall scattered pitting. This tag was dug by Jeff Pitts. Genuine slave tags stamped “Charleston Neck” were only made in the years 1849 & 1850 after which the two towns of Charleston and Charleston Neck merged and this designation was never used again. (More information can be had by referencing Slave Tags & the Slave Hire System in Charleston by Hutchins & Greene). 12) Diamond shaped, copper tag with 2 cut corners and stamped on both sides. Front stamped “Charleston 358 Porter 1863”, reverse stamped “Charleston 1862 Servant 2430”. Approx 1-9/16” x 1-9/16”. Marks generally readable on both sides, some low points in letters; appears to be orig. 13) Diamond shaped, copper tag with cut corners stamped on 2 sides. Front stamped “Charleston 380 Mechanic 1850”, reverse stamped “Charleston 2162”. Approx. 1-9/16” x 1-9/16”. Overall scattered pitting; front side and markings generally strong and readable; reverse less strong but readable. 14) Round token, struck on each side, the front with a kneeling, chained slave “am I not a man and a brother” and the reverse with clasped hands “may slavery and oppression cease throughout the world”. Approx. 1-1/8” dia. Markings are worn, but readable. The grouping is displayed in a contemporary, glass topped case. This is an extraordinary collection of excavated tags found around Charleston SC. This amazing group is in generally great condition and it would be extremely difficult to duplicate the quality and diversity found in this collection. The house servant tag is extraordinarily rare and only a few are known to exist as is the wonderful “C.N.” tag. Charleston Neck tags are also very rare. The addition of a fruiter and carpenter would make this a complete set, and as such would be one of only a few complete sets known to exist. SIZE: As noted above. CONDITION: As stated above. 4-32225 JJ (85,000-95,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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