Description: From my anti-slavery collection, I offer this quite scarce to rare 52mm white metal proof like medal of THOMAS CLARKSON probably the most influential proponent of ending the barbaric slave trade in England. This medal was probably struck in proof with reflective mirror fields where it has not toned. A portrait of Clarkson on the obverse with his name. The highly detailed reverse has a facsimile of his signature at the bottom. In the center the chained male slave pleading "AM I NOT A MAN AND A BROTHER" signed by DAVIS BIRM. A banner around that reads. BRITISH & FOREIGN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY below that in small letters president (signature of Clarkson) aged 81. Around the whole GENERAL ANTI-SLAVERY CONVENTION HELD IN LONDON 1840. The third scan is of a Haydon portrait of Clarkson giving his speech some of which is described below.. I did manage to acquire 2 of these medals in more than 40 years of collecting. I sold my other some time ago for more than $600 and now my last one is going. My other was nicer but not by that much and this one is much less. If you have the time read a bit more about Clarkson below. See the scans. U.S. shipping is $4. It will cost me more. PayPal preferred.Thomas Clarkson was a leading activist in Britain against the transatlantic slave trade. He helped found the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade and was a main force in bringing about the Slave Trade Act of 1807, which legally ended British trade in enslaved Africans.Clarkson was born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, England in 1760. He was educated at Wisbech Grammar School, St Paul's School, London and St John's College, Cambridge. He was later ordained as a deacon.After the speech by Clarkson the audience were so moved that the man who was recording and painting the portrait of the assembled wrote the following 'The women wept - the men shook off their tears, unable to prevent their flowing; for myself I was so affected and so astonished, that it was many minutes before I recovered, sufficiently to perceive the moment of interest I had longed for had come to pass.' ('Description of Haydon's Picture', 1841, p 10)Clarkson is shown in the center finishing his speech:'Behind, beneath, and about him, are the oldest and dearest friends of the cause - whilst a liberated slave, now a delegate, is looking up to Clarkson with deep interest, and the hand of a friend is resting with affection on his arm, in fellowship and protection; this is the point of interest in the picture, and illustrative of the object in painting it - the African sitting by the intellectual European, in equality and intelligence, whilst the patriarch of the cause points to heaven as to whom he must be grateful.' ('Description of Haydon's Picture,' 1841, p 10)Clarkson contacted Granville Sharp, a known anti-slavery campaigner. In 1787 they formed the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Of the 12 committee members, nine were Quakers. Influential people such as the Methodist preacher John Wesley and pottery businessman Josiah Wedgwood gave their support to the campaign. They later persuaded William Wilberforce, MP for Hull, to be their spokesman in the House of Commons.Evidence of inhumanity of slavery Thomas Clarkson was responsible for collecting information to support the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. This included interviewing 20,000 sailors and obtaining equipment used on slaving ships such as iron handcuffs, leg shackles, thumb screws, instruments for forcing open enslaved Africans' jaws and branding irons. In 1787 he published his pamphlet, 'A Summary View of the Slave Trade and of the Probable Consequences of its Abolition'.Much more on the internet about this wonderful anti-slavery pioneer.
Price: 495 USD
Location: Barrington, Rhode Island
End Time: 2025-01-03T19:02:08.000Z
Shipping Cost: 4 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Type: Medal
