(AFRICA APARTHEID) WHITES ONLY SLEGS BLANKES

Sale 2342 - Lot 134

Unsold

Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000

(AFRICA APARTHEID.) WHITES ONLY--SLEGS BLANKES Original porcelain covered metal apartheid sign, 16 x 13-1/2 inches, framed; a few dings and chips with rust where the metal has been exposed. South Africa, circa 1940's-1950's

Set Alert for Similar Items

Additional Details

a relic of the era of apartheid in south Africa. Apartheid was officially instituted in South Africa in 1948. Two years later, a set of racial laws was drawn up. Three racial designations were established: White, Black and "Coloured." Marriage between the races was of course forbidden and entire areas of employment were closed to non-whites. Passbooks had to be carried by everyone to come and go from work. Punishment for protest against this harsh system was severe. Activists like the late Nelson Mandela were often tortured and received long jail sentences. After 46 years Apartheid ended in 1994, with the first democratic elections and the resulting presidency of Nelson Mandela. In our experience, signs like this are far more scarce than their American counterpart.