Broadside for the auction of 10 enslaved families in New Orleans

A single-sheet broadside printed in black ink on wood pulp paper. The broadside is an announcement for a slave auction that took place on January 29, 1855 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Written at the top of the broadside in bold lettering is [56 VERY CHOICE / Cotton Plantation SLAVES, / MECHANICS, / SEAMSTRESSES, COOKS, &C.] Between two bold parallel lines printed in smaller lettering is [By J. A. BEARD & MAY. J. A. Beard, Auctioneer]. Below the bottom line printed in the same size font is [WILL BE SOLD AT AUCTION, / ON MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 1855, / At 12 o’Clock, at Banks’ Arcade, / WITHOUT RESERVE, / The following list of choice and Valuable SLAVES, from the Plantation of Gen. W. BAILEY, / Lake Providence, La., viz:]. Printed below this are the names, ages and skills of the enslaved people being auctioned. Skills and occupations listed include cotton picker, ox driver, slave driver, seamstress, ironer, carpenter, cooper, cotton gin hand, midwife, and field hand. There are fifty-six people listed in two columns, organized by family units with ten families total listed.