African Americana

Sale 1118

Live

| Cincinnati

Feb 28 | 10:00 AM EST

Live

| Cincinnati

Lot 118

[SLAVERY & ABOLITION]. CDV portrait of Helen Pitts Douglass. Ca 1880.

Lot 118

[SLAVERY & ABOLITION]. CDV portrait of Helen Pitts Douglass. Ca 1880.

Status:

Closed

Estimate: $400 - $600

Estimate$400 – $600

Status

Closed

[SLAVERY & ABOLITION]. CDV portrait of Helen Pitts Douglass. Ca 1880.

2 1/4 x 3 3/4 in. CDV on cardstock mount (toning, light wear and soiling to mount edges and corners). Vignetted oval bust portrait of Helen Pitts Douglass wearing floral accents in her hair and on her dress.

Suffragist Helen Pitts Douglass (1838-1903) was born to a prominent New York family and attended Mount Holyoke College, from which she graduated in 1859. After teaching at Virginia's Hampton Institute, Pitts was hired to work for Douglass in Washington, DC, clerking in the office of the Recorder of Deeds while he worked on his autobiography, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass. Two years after the passing of Douglass's first wife, Anna Murray Douglass, Pitts and Douglass were married in 1884. Their marriage would last for 11 years, until Douglass died of a heart attack. Their union drew heavy criticism, even from members of their own families, including Douglass's children. Their home at Cedar Hill was inherited by Douglass's children, from whom Pitts purchased it and established the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association.

RARE: We could locate only one other example, a larger version of this portrait, curated by the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Hindman strives to describe historic materials in a manner that is respectful to all communities, providing descriptive contexts for objects where possible. The nature of historical ephemera is such that some material may represent positions, language, values, and stereotypes that are not consistent with the current values and practices at Hindman.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email katiehorstman@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

katiehorstman@freemansauction.com 513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

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African Americana

[SLAVERY & ABOLITION]. CDV portrait of Helen Pitts Douglass. Ca 1880.

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