Black History
1813 Charleston, SC. "PORTER" LAFAR Slave Hire Tag
1813-Dated, Genuine "PORTER" Slave Hire Identification Tag from Charleston (South Carolina), Tag Number "92", Hallmarked and made by J.J. LAFAR, Very Fine.
This rare, fully Genuine and authentic 1813 "PORTER" Slave Identification Tag is hallmark punched by its maker "LAFAR" on the center of its reverse side and measures about 2" x 2", is octagon shaped and holed at top for suspension, as always. There is metal loss as shown along the left side with two small chips in the metal, the top one touching just above "CH" of CHARLESTON while the lower is far from any text. Its deep brown surfaces are slightly rough overall yet all of the text and details on its face side are defined and very clear. The central reverse hallmark punch "LAFAR" is only partially apparent having been obscured by surface porosity. This early genuine Slave Hire Tag reads: "CHARLESTON / 1813 / PORTER / No 92", made by J.J. Lafar who was hired by the city as the only Slave Tag maker at the time.