Picryl description: Public domain image of portrait, 16th-17th century...
Public domain image of portrait, 17th century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description image - Picryl description
Declaration of the Anti-Slavery Convention. Assembled in Philadelphia,...
The broadside declaration is illustrated with a headpiece of Hercules strangling the Nemean lion as two astonished elders look on. Beneath the woodcut is the line, "Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the... More
The people putting responsibility to the test or the downfall of the k...
A prediction of dire consequences to follow from Jackson's withdrawal of federal funds from the Bank of the United States, initiated late in 1833. The artist is harshly critical of Jackson's move to distribute... More
New method of assorting the mail, as practised by Southern slave-holde...
A portrayal of the nocturnal raid on the Charleston post office by a mob of citizens and the burning of abolitionist mails found there in July 1835. Mail sacks are handed through a forced window of the ransack... More
Southern ideas of liberty - Political cartoon, public domain image
An imaginative portrayal of the violent suppression of abolitionist propagandizing and insurrectionism in the South. The print may have been stimulated by several instances during the early 1830s of hanging, ta... More
Abolition frowned down. Book illustration from Library of Congress
A satire on enforcement of the "gag-rule" in the House of Representatives, prohibiting discussion of the question of slavery. Growing antislavery sentiment in the North coincided with increased resentment by so... More
The North Bend farmer and his visitors
A slanderous portrayal of Democratic tactics against Whig presidential candidate William Henry Harrison. The supposedly insidious and high-living Van Buren and his minions suffer by comparison to the Whig cand... More
The Secretary of War presenting a stand of colours to the 1st Regiment...
A bitter vilification of the Van Buren administration's use of bloodhounds to hunt fugitive Indians during the Second Seminole War in Florida. The artist condemns the racism and inhumanity of the measure, as w... More
Exeter Hall, the great anti-slavery meeting, 1841 / T.H. Shepherd [del...
Print shows interior of Exeter Hall filled with a large crowd for the Anti-slavery Society meeting, London, England. Le grande salle d'Exeter-Hall assemblie des amis des noirs : Die so-gennante Exeter-Halle ve... More
American sympathy and Irish backguardism, Political Cartoon
A critical look at Irish Repeal movement leader Daniel O'Connell's condemnation of slavery in the United States. Clay portrays O'Connell's agitation against slavery as an affront to American friends of repeal, ... More
Race between Bennett and Greely for the Post Office stakes
A satire on the competition between rival editors Horace Greeley and James Gordon Bennett for New York post office printing contracts. The artist also comments on the circulation wars between Bennett's "New Yor... More
Virtuous Harry, or set a thief to catch a thief!
A satire on the Whig party's anti-annexation platform. The question of whether or not to annex Texas was a large issue separating candidates in the 1844 campaign. Annexation's serious implications for the futur... More
Anti annexation procession. Book illustration from Library of Congress
A cynical look at the opposition to American annexation of Texas during the 1844 campaign. At the head of a motley procession is Whig candidate and professed anti-annexationist Henry Clay, riding a raccoon (wh... More
Sale of dogs - Political cartoon, public domain image
Seeking a middle course between the issues of the annexation of Texas on one hand and abolitionism on the other, Van Buren lost the support of southern Democrats, including elderly statesman Andrew Jackson. Her... More
Texas coming in. Book illustration from Library of Congress
A pro-Democrat cartoon forecasting the collapse of Whig opposition to the annexation of Texas. James K. Polk, the expansionist candidate, stands at right near a bridge spanning "Salt River." He holds an America... More
The Massachusetts hoar, outwitted, or hopping-John, and Johnny-cake, f...
An imaginative but puzzling commentary on sectional tensions over slavery between New England abolitionists and southern agrarian slaveholders. In his sweeping satire the artist also portrays a considerable hos... More
The four traitors, who most infamously sold themselves to the Dorrites...
An illustrated broadside reviling four Rhode Island Whigs who broke party ranks to support a popular movement to free imprisoned radical Thomas Wilson Dorr. (On the Dorr Rebellion see also "Trouble in the Spart... More
Who says gas? Or the Democratic b-hoy
A pro-Democrat satire, pitting Democratic candidate Lewis Cass against Whig nominee Zachary Taylor in a bout for the presidency. Cass (center) is the obvious favorite. He wears the stovepipe hat, boots, bold pl... More
Caricature, The modern colossus, public domain cartoon image
Election of 1848. Martin van Buren, ex-President and "Free-Soil" Party candidate is shown trying to bridge the gap between the Whig-Abolition platform and the Democratic platform. Both major parties, the Whigs ... More
The fox hunt. Book illustration from Library of Congress
Again Van Buren's flirtation with radical interests is portrayed as his downfall. As in "The Modern Colossus" (no. 1848-56) antislavery activist Abby Folsom (here "Abby Fulsome") is prominently featured. Here s... More
The liberty chariot - Political cartoon, public domain image
A burlesque triumphal procession representing victory for the Democratic platform in the election of 1848. In a chariot drawn by Democrats Lewis Cass and William O. Butler (shown as two horses), Uncle Sam drive... More
Patent balancing by an amateur - Public domain book illustration, Libr...
New York "Tribune" editor Horace Greeley is ridiculed for vacillating between support of candidates Martin Van Buren and Zachary Taylor in the presidential election of 1848. Greeley balances precariously on a t... More
The telegraphic candidates - Steam locomotive, Public domain image
In a race between the railroad and the telegraph the "telegraphic candidates," Lewis Cass and William O. Butler, are first to the White House. The artist ridicules Zachary Taylor for his hazy stance on major ca... More
The little magician & the modern witch of Endor
Another satire on Van Buren's alliance with extremists, here personified by radical abolitionist Abby Folsom. Van Buren's emergence as candidate of the Free Soil party in the 1848 presidential race was viewed a... More
The hurly-burly pot - Public domain book illustration, Library of Cong...
The artist attacks abolitionist, Free Soil, and other sectionalist interests of 1850 as dangers to the Union. He singles out for indictment radical abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, Pennsylvania Free Soil ad... More
Philanthropic Consolations, after the loss of the Slave-Bill
William Wilberforce and Samuel Horsley, Bishop of Rochester, cavort with two black women in a well-furnished room. Wilberforce and a woman, wearing a print dress with her breasts exposed, sit on a couch smoking... More
What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander
The opposition of Northern abolitionists, churchmen, and political figures to enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is criticized in this rare pro-Southern cartoon. In two panels artist Edward Williams ... More
The blessings of liberty or how to "hook" a "gentleman of color"
A diverse group of abolitionists try to drag an unwilling black man toward the left with a large gaff hook. Holding the hook are (left to right) an old hag, a Quaker man, and two other homely men. The hag dec... More
Pilgrims of the Rhine-O! - Political cartoon, public domain image
Whig presidential candidate Winfield Scott and his party pursue an abolitionist course leading toward Salt River and political doom. New York senator and antislavery advocate William Seward appears as a poodle ... More
Eclipse & no eclipse or two views of one object
Two scenes showing the differing perceptions of Franklin Pierce's stand on the issue of slavery, as viewed by the North and South. The cartoon is divided vertically by "Mason & Dixon's Line." An arrow identifie... More
Liberty, the fair maid of Kansas--in the hands of the "border ruffians...
A bitter indictment of the Democratic administration's responsibility for violence and bloodshed in Kansas in the wake of the 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act. (See also "Forcing Slavery Down the Throat of a Freesoiler... More
Liberty, the fair maid of Kansas in the hands of the "border ruffians"
This cartoon "portrays the Democratic leaders as jovial and unscrupulous marauders. Robbery, murder and abduction (common occurrences during the struggle between free-soil and pro-slavery advocates in the new s... More
The great Republican reform party.
Presidential campaign of 1856. John C. Fremont, Republican candidate running on a "Free-soil" platform was defeated by James Buchanan the Democratic candidate. In this cartoon, Fremont is approached by 6 "would... More
Ho! For the Kansas plains - Public domain engraving
An illustrated sheet music cover for an antislavery song, dedicated to abolitionist spokesman Henry Ward Beecher. The illustration features a roundel illustration of the burning of the Free State Hotel in Lawre... More
The buck chase of 1856 - Political cartoon, public domain image
Democratic candidate James Buchanan, as a buck deer, crosses the finish line of a racecourse ahead of competitors Millard Fillmore and John C. Fremont. Spectators cheer in the stands behind. Fillmore appears a... More
Forcing slavery down the throat of a freesoiler
The artist lays on the Democrats the major blame for violence perpetrated against antislavery settlers in Kansas in the wake of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Here a bearded "freesoiler" has been bound to the "Democr... More
The "mustang" team - A cartoon of a horse pulling a cart with people o...
The abolitionist Republican presidential ticket and its supporters in the press are the targets of the cartoon. Candidate Fremont, wearing an emigrant's smock and carrying a cross (an allusion to his rumored Ca... More
Old John Brown's career illustrated
Print shows five vignettes from the violent life of abolitionist John Brown, three related to "doing his Kansas work" and the fourth "commencing his Virginia work"; the fifth vignette, at center, labeled "The t... More
The grave of the union. 19th century, Library of Congress collection
Public domain image related to President Abraham Lincoln, gelatin silver print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Political caricature. No. 3, The abolition catastrophe. Or the Novembe...
Lincoln's support of abolition is portrayed here as a liability in his race to the White House against Democratic candidate George B. McClellan. At top a smoothly run train "Union" heads straight for the White... More
Northern coat of arms - Political cartoon, public domain image
A Northern-produced satire, expressing strongly anti-abolitionist sentiments. A large pair of bare feet, obviously those of a black man, protrude from beneath a Phrygian cap adorned with the word "Liberty," sev... More
The abolition catastrophe. Or the November smash-up
Election of 1864. Republican A. Lincoln defeated Dem. George B. McClellan and his early peace platform. This pro-McClellan cartoon shows "Little Mac" in the cab of the "Union" train, which has a clear track to ... More
Key to Powell & Co's. photographs of Abraham Lincoln, Hannibal Hamlin ...
Key to composite photograph with list of names identifying legislators who voted to abolish slavery.
Celebration of the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia by...
Large crowd of African Americans celebrating the abolition of slavery in Washington, D.C. Illus. in: Harper's weekly, v. 10, no. 489 (1866 May 12), p. 300. Reference copy in LOT 4422-C. Exhibited: The African A... More
Letter from Frederick Douglass
Public domain scan of a manuscript related to African American history, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Rodney French Monument - New Bedford library collection
Black and white photo of granite memorial set on large slab of rock; plaque set into grant block reads: "IN GRATEFUL APPRECIATION OF HIS/ DEVOTION TO THE CAUSE OF THE SLAVES/ HIS WORK FOR THEIR DELIVERANCE/ FRO... More
Mary Ann Shadd Cary House, 1421 W Street Northwest, Washington, Distri...
Significance: Home, from 1881-86, of Mary Ann Shadd Cary (1823-93). Cary is an important figure in African-American history, being the first black newspaperwoman in North America, proponent of women's rights, ... More
A narrative of the life of John Marrant, of New-York, in North-America...
Picryl description: Public domain book about slavery, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
The interesting narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano: or, Gustavus...
Public domain history book page scan, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Isaac and Rosa, emancipated slave children
Public domain photograph of 19th-century portrait, child, children, infant, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Oh, How I Love The Old Flag. Rebecca, A Slave Girl from New Orleans.
Picryl description: Public domain image related to martial arts, sports fight, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
"Get off the track!" A song for emancipation, sung by The Hutchinsons,...
An illustrated sheet music cover for an abolitionist song composed by Jesse Hutchinson, Jr. The song is dedicated to antislavery editor Nathaniel Peabody Rogers, "As a mark of esteem for his intrepidity in the ... More
The fugitive's song - Public domain print
A sheet music cover illustrated with a portrait of prominent black abolitionist Frederick Douglass as a runaway slave. Douglass flees barefoot from two mounted pursuers who appear across the river behind him w... More
The Democratic platform - Print, Library of Congress collection
Print shows Democratic presidential candidate James Buchanan lying on the backs of three men on their hands and knees, from left, Senator Thomas Hart Benton identified as "Old Bullion", President Franklin Pierc... More
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The Democratic platform - Print, Library of Congress collection
Print shows Democratic presidential candidate James Buchanan lying on the backs of three men on their hands and knees, from left, Senator Thomas Hart Benton identified as "Old Bullion", President Franklin Pierc... More
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.
The philosophy of the abolition movement
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.