Published by
Taylor & Huntington, American
Photograph by
McPherson & Oliver, American
Subject of
Gordon, American
Date
1863; printed later
Medium
collodion and silver nitrate on glass with wood
Dimensions
H x W (Slide): 3 1/4 x 4 in. (8.3 x 10.2 cm)
H x W (Frame): 4 1/4 x 6 7/8 x 3/8 in. (10.8 x 17.5 x 1 cm)
Description
A glass plate photographic "magic lantern" slide depicting the bare back of an enslaved man with multiple raised scars. The slide has a black and gold paper sleeve and is in a plain wooden slide mount. There is a short crack in the lower left corner of the upper glass plate. The image depicts a man, often identified as "Gordon," or "Private Gordon," and sometimes as "Peter," seated with his shirtless back to the camera. His proper left hand is on his left hip, his elbow extended, and his face is turned to the left. Along the right side of the sleeve is printed [ORIGINAL WAR VIEWS - 1861-1865] and on the left is [Taylor & Huntington - Hartford, Conn.].
Place captured
Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Photographs and Still Images
Movement
Anti-slavery movements
Type
lantern slides
portraits
Topic
Antislavery
Emancipation
Fugitive enslaved
Health
Identity
Medicine
Military
Photography
Self-liberation
Slavery
U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
United States Colored Troops
Violence
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2012.46.52ab
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5dd67bd5d-8c6c-4911-ab6a-35b65b74f83d

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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