Anti Slavery Wedgwood Plaque
The image of the plaque was taken from the seal of the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade founded in 1787 by Thomas Clarkson. Wedgwood sent examples to Benjamin franklin in Pennsylvania in February 1788 and they were an immediate success. He wrote to Wedgwood saying that- I am persuaded (they) have an effect equal to the best written pamphlet in procuring favour to those oppressed people.
Clarkson wrote - some had them inlaid in gold on the lid of their snuff boxes. Of the ladies, several wore them in bracelets, and others had them fitted in an ornamental manner as pins for their hair. At length a taste for wearing them became general and thus fashion was seen for once in the honourable office of promoting the cause of justice and humanity and freedom.-
The design was also used in printed form on plates, enamel boxes as well as on tea caddies tokens and seals.
Josiah Wedgwood produced the plaques at his own expense and freely distributed them amongst the populace.
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