On View
Slavery and Freedom Gallery
Exhibition
Slavery and Freedom
Manufactured by
Unidentified
Commissioned by
George Thompson, English, 1804 - 1878
Subject of
The Liberator, American, 1831 - 1865
Owned by
Garrison, George Thompson, American, 1836 - 1904
Garrison, William Lloyd, American, 1805 - 1879
Date
1850
Medium
gold, metal, glass, paint
Dimensions
H x W x D: 2 11/16 × 1 7/8 × 9/16 in. (6.8 × 4.8 × 1.4 cm)
Description
An inscribed gold pocket watch presented to William Lloyd Garrison. The watch has a half hunter case, with spring hinged glass cover over the dial and a hinged gold lid over the back, protecting the inscription and winding square. The dial is painted white with roman numerals and fleur de lis shaped watch hands. There is a smaller 60-second dial partly obscuring the "VI" of the larger dial. The two hinged covers open via a button on the crown and bow, positioned above the "XII" of the dial. The engraved inscription on the back of the watch is decorative and reads [Presented by / GEORGE THOMPSON, M.P. / on behalf of him / self and others / to / WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON, / intrepid and uncompromising / Friend of the Slave: / in commemoration of the / TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF / THE LIBERATOR / Boston / January 1st, 1851] in several text sizes and fonts. Production and identification marks are stamped and scratched on the inside of the back cover.
Transcription Center Status
Transcription Available
Place made
London, England, United Kingdom, Europe
Place depicted
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Personal Effects and Items
Movement
Abolitionist movement
Type
pocket watches
Topic
Antislavery
Men
Social reform
U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Garrison Family in memory of George Thompson Garrison
Object number
2014.115.6.1
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e0215bd0-3401-45dd-a961-97d312b03270

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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