136. NEW ORLEANS SLAVE DEALER'S BUSINESS CARD A fine rarity, a 3" x 1 1/2" business card for New Orleans slave dealers Boazman & Dawson at 166 Gravier Street, New Orleans. The card also lists the dealer's residence at 129 Basin Street. The firm was among many that occupied Gravier Street. J.W. Boazman first appears at 163 Gravier Street in the New Orleans City Directory for 1856 which also notes a large number of slave dealers, mostly on the same street. Further research suggests that Boazman was in business from at least 1851. By 1860, the firm is listed at 166 Gravier Street. The firm, as most in New Orleans at the time, dealt in slaves from Virginia. The other name on the card, Dawson, does not appear on the city directory listings and may have been a dealer in another state, most likely in Maryland or Virginia. A Samuel J. Dawson of Georgetown appears in advertisement in the Washington newspapers offering "Cash Cash Cash!" for slaves. As most of the slaves entering New Orleans at the time were from the upper South, this would be a logical assumption as dealers required trustworthy contacts on the other end of the supply chain to ensure smooth transactions. The other possible identity for the mysterious Dawson is New Orleans physician Dr. Robert Dawson who was also known to engage in slave speculation. Slave dealers and physicians were often closely associated, as slaves were often in need of medical attention and it was always in the dealer's best interest to offer healthy slaves for sale. The card itself his toned and bears several creases, all of which do not affect legibility or overall appearance. Offered together with the original leather wallet in which the card was found. The inside bears the name "J. M. Ocott", and the wallet itself is finely tooled with the expected wear and rubbing. An important and rare piece of history from a well documented slave dealing concern. $2,000-2,500