Scarce unissued certificate for a lifetime membership in the American Colonization Society, 9 x 6.5, featuring an attractive engraved vignette with "Lux in Tenebris" seal, banana plant, and date palm, signed in the lower right in ink by Madison. In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds, tack holes to top corners, repaired lower corner tips, and light toning from prior display. Established in 1816 by Dr. Robert Finley, the Society for the Colonization of Free People of Color of America, commonly known as the American Colonization Society (ACS), advocated the migration of free African Americans to the continent of Africa. Madison endorsed colonization in the 1780s, and would later serve as president of the ACS from 1833 to 1836. In a letter to the Marquis de Lafayette, dated February 1, 1830, Madison posited that such 'Outlets for the freed blacks are alone wanted for a rapid erasure of that blot from our Republican character.'
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$150.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
