Life of John Thompson, A Fugitive Slave. Containing His History of 25 Years in Bondage, and His Providential Escape. Written By Himself

Thompson, John

Published by Published by John Thompson [printed by C. Hamilton, Palladium office], Worcester, 1856

About this Item

First edition. Signed by Thompson on the endpaper. vi, [13]-143, [1]pp. Half-title. 12mo. "Thompson was one of seven children born into slavery on the Wagar plantation in Maryland in 1812. He remained on the plantation of his birth until the death of the old Mistress' in October of 1822 and the subsequent division of the property in 1823 (p. 28). Thompson and his family were sold to Mr. George Thomas. Shortly thereafter, Thompson was hired out to another plantation and continued to be moved from plantation to plantation for many years. Fearing being sent further south, Thompson made a successful escape to the North with another enslaved man. In Pennsylvania, Thompson found work and married, but following the arrest of other escaped slaves in his area, he joined a whaling vessel to avoid arrest. Thompson remained at sea for several years before returning to his family . He died in 1860" (https://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/thompson/summary.html). We find no record of another signed copy. Indeed, although known to be able to both read and write from details within the narrative, examples of his signature are elusive, and the present example possibly unique. His signature does not appear in either Pennsylvania or Massachusetts census records (although he is recorded in both), nor the copyright application for the work (clerical); and although he is named in the extant ship's log for the Pacific whaling voyage, the names of the crew are written by the first mate. However, the signature on the endpaper is contemporary to the book's publication and, importantly, it is signed with his middle initial which is not included on the title, imprint or within the book itself, suggesting that it was not merely inscribed by an early reader. A fascinating combination of both fugitive slave and Pacific whaling narrative, and notable as an example of black self-publishing. Library Company Afro Americana 10230; Blockson Collection 9660; Work, page 313. Not in Howes or Sabin Publisher's cloth, a bit cocked vi, [13]-143, [1]pp. Half-title. 12mo First edition. Signed by Thompson on the endpaper.

Seller Inventory # 371116

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Life of John Thompson, A Fugitive Slave. Containing His History of 25 Years in Bondage, and His Providential Escape. Written By Himself
• Publisher: Published by John Thompson [printed by C. Hamilton, Palladium office], Worcester
• Publication Date: 1856
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed
• Seller catalogs:
  • Americana