Lot 2496
1798, First Federal Issue, $1 Rhode Island, sharp detailed embossing, on Marine policy for insuring shipment of slaves from Africa to Havana, Cuba, December 28, 1779, policy for Nathaniel Howland for the schooner Commerce, Very Fine, very rare with only nine stamps reported.Scott Nos. RM195 $1,250.
The document's connection with slavery is shown by the first line of handwritten text "The underwriters risk Insurrection of Slaves." Havana was the main distribution point for slaves that left Africa and then went to the United States. Only one other insurance policy of this kind is known.
Realized: $550