BLACK & WHITE RADICAL MEMBERS SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE CDV PHOTO FORMER SLAVES

CARTE DE VISITE (CDV) COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH with caption: RADICAL MEMBERS OF THE SO CA LEGISLATURE. " On front, at bottom of mount: "These are the photographs of 63 members of the reconstructed South Carolina Legislature, 50 of whom are negroes or mulattoes and 13 white. 22 read and write (8 grammatically), the remainder (41) make their mark with the aid of an amanuensis.

On the back: Lines from Left to Right. LINE 1 - Dusenberry, white, McKinlay, colored, Dickson, w, Wilder, c, Hoyt, w, Randolph, c, Harris, c. 2 - Mayes, c, Jillson, w, Lomax, c, Jackson, w, Thomas, c, Webb, w, Bozeman, c, Tomlinson, w, Wright, c. 3 - Demars, c, Brodie, c, Hayes, c, Cain, c, Maxwell, c, Martin, w, Cook, c, Miller, c. 4 - Rivers, c, Duncan, c, Boozer, w, Smythe, c, Wright, c, Moses, w, Sanders, c, Nuckles, c.

5 - Miteford, w, White, c, Barton, c, Boston, c, Shrewsbury, c, Midkery, c, Henderson, c, Howell, c, Hayne, c, Mobly, c, Hudon, c, Nash, c, Carmand, e, 6 - Smith, c, Pettingill, w, Hyde, - , Lee, c, Simonds, c, Chesnut, c, McDaniel, c, WIlliams, c, Gardner, c, 7 - Swails, c, Perrin, c, James, c, Johnston, c, Wimbush, c, Hayes, c, Farr, c, Meade, c, Thompson, c, Rainey, c. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS CDV, PLEASE SEE BOTTOM OF LISTING. Approximately 4 x 2 1/2 inches. Slightly raised thin vertical area down center, depending on how you tilt the CDV - This corresponds to a couple of wrinkles on the back. There appears to be discoloration on the shoulder of the man 3rd from left, 2nd row down - However, when tilted, it is apparent this is a small area of soiling, which extends upward and to the right. Also when tilted, other lighter soiling is noticeable elsewhere, as well as a few scuff marks. A bit of wear along top edge. Front has brown spot at lower right. Back has some spots; old residue at right side, which is apparent when tilted; and 2 raised vertical wrinkles. About 15 of the figures have only fair tones, but the majority have good to very good tones, and some stand out as especially rich.

The composite image documents the implementation of the Reconstruction Act of 1867, which redesigned the governing bodies of the southern states after the American Civil War. Not only did African Americans have the right to vote, but also serve within the government. When South Carolina rejoined the Union in 1868, they had the first state legislature with a black majority.

Created to frighten the white population, this image was widely distributed in many sizes and formats. (source: Princeton University, Graphic Arts website). Many of the Black delegates were former slaves.

African Americans, were then, the majority of delegates. In 1868, there were 124 delegates at the Convention, of that number there were approximately 74 African American delegates. The New York Times, January 21, 1868 pp 2 - 3 ran the following. The Colored Delegates the Ablest and most Respectable. The colored men in the Convention possess by long odds the largest share of mental caliber. They are the best debaters; some of them are peculiarly apt in raising and sustaining points of order; there is a homely but strong grasp of common sense in what they say, and although the mistakes made are frequent and ludicrous, the South Carolinians are not slow to acknowledge that their destinies really appear to be safer in the hands of these unlettered Ethiopians than they would be if confided to the more unscrupulous care of the white men in the body.

(source: Emily E Vaughn website). The item "BLACK & WHITE RADICAL MEMBERS SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE CDV PHOTO FORMER SLAVES" is in sale since Friday, April 08, 2016. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Photographic Images\Vintage & Antique (Pre-1940)\CDVs". The seller is "genest" and is located in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. This item can be shipped worldwide.