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Lot 116
DOUGLASS, Frederick (1818-1895). CDV of Frederick Douglass.  [With:] Signature ("Frederick Douglass"). Washington, D.C., 10 May 1893.
Sale 1118 - African Americana
Feb 28, 2023 10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
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Estimate
$3,000 - 4,000
Price Realized
$5,355
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
DOUGLASS, Frederick (1818-1895). CDV of Frederick Douglass.  [With:] Signature ("Frederick Douglass"). Washington, D.C., 10 May 1893.

DOUGLASS, Frederick (1818-1895). WARREN, George Kendall, photographer. Studio portrait of Douglass. Boston: Warren's Portraits, ca 1879. 

2 5/16 x 3 3/4 in. albumen CDV on cardstock mount (very minor surface wear, light brown spotting to mount). Photographer's imprint to mount recto and 465 Washington St. imprint to mount verso. Pencil inscription to verso identifies Douglass. 

A profile bust portrait of Douglass with white hair and a full beard wearing a fringed tie. Cat. No. 99 in Picturing Frederick Douglass shows more of Douglass's torso and is listed as a cabinet card. While the size is smaller, the views appear to be identical.  Stauffer, Trodd, and Bernier. Picturing Frederick Douglass, cat #99. 

[Matted with:] DOUGLASS, Frederick. Clipped signature ("Frederick Douglass"). Cedar Hill, Anacostia, [Washington, D.C.], 10 May 1893.

6 7/8 x 4 in. page (small tear to left edge, minor toning). Contemporary ink inscription with notable biographical facts about Douglass. The two items are top mounted and matted together. 

The page appears to be from an autograph book, common at the close of the 19th century, notably not a signature clipped from the many land deeds he signed as Recorder of Deeds (1881-1886). Cedar Hill was Douglass' final residence on the outskirts of Washington which he purchased in 1877 and spent much of his retirement. The home is now preserved as the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site. 
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