calsfoundation@cals.org
March 5, 2011
Slave auctions were a common event in the slave states in the days before the Civil War. Such events were widely advertised in the local newspapers. Broadsides, both large and small, were also commonly distributed to stimulate interest. This 1842 Hempstead County slave auction broadside advertises for sale “15 young and valuable Slaves.” Also included in the sale were cattle and plantation tools.