Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
Mounted war-date albumen photograph, 8-1/4” x 5-3/4,” to larger mount with pencil manuscript on the reverse is the notation, “Slaves at Volusia the Residence of Felix Richards at Volusia Va. near Alexandria.” Volusia was a property of approximately 155 acres located about three miles west of the former town limits of Alexandria, Virginia. The image shows two adult women slaves and seven slave children. A laundry basket is in the foreground while a light skin slave irons in the center of the image. The lifeless trees in the background clearly place this image in the winter. The image is slightly light, skillful composition, and of good focus. This image has been thoroughly researched by the Office of Historic Alexandria in 2007. Enclosed is a seven page summary of their findings of which we will excerpt certaint points. “In 1863, Samuel Langley recalled that the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers “encamped on the grounds of Felix Richards” from 2 December 1861 to 10 March 1862. During that time, Colonel Edward E. Cross, commander of the Fifth New Hampshire asked Amelia Richards to allow her “servant to wash a few clothes” for him, offering to ‘cheerfully pay almost any price’ for the service. Based on the fact that the Fifth New Hampshire was at Volusia from late 1861 to early 1862, it is very likely the photographs of Felix Richards slaves were taken during that time. The use of the word “slaves” to describe the subjects in the laundry day images appears to be accurate. . . . The women in the laundry day photographs are adults and both appear old enough to be mothers to the children in the photographs. It is possible that the images feature Lucinda and Kitty, who were about 38 and 33, respectively, in 1862, and their children. (The research identifies Lucinda and Kitty in a deed of trust.). The photographer is unknown, although a couple possibilities deserve consideration. ... The more likely candidate is James E. Larkin, then a lieutenant with the Fifth New Hampshire. Larkin enjoyed a photography hobby and had photographic equipment with him when his regiment was encamped on the Richards property. In his diary, he noted that he had taken ‘18 pictures at fifty cents each’ on 21 January 1862. Over the next two days, Larkin took an additional $35 worth of photographs, or approximately 70 images, based on his rate estimate. ....The handwriting on the photographs has some strong similarities to that in Larkin’s diary and letters, but it is not conclusive.
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