Charleston slave badge from ca. 1864 for Fruiterer / Mechanic / Porter No. 24

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

This is a square metal slave badge set on point with clipped corners. On the recto is text that reads ”CHARLESTON [stamped]” across the top. Under that is “24 / 6 [punched] / PORTER [superimposed on top] / MECHANIC [below] FRUITERER [on verso] [stamped] / 1865/1860[? on verso [stamped].” There is a hole punched at the center top.

Catalog date

ca. 1864

Recorded places

Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Recorded subjects

African American; Labor; Skilled labor; Slave hire system; Slavery

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