1795 THE WHITE NEGRESS. Rare Halfpenny "House of Curiosities" Token to See Albino Black Woman in London

1795 Mrs. Newsham – The White Negress. Rare Halfpenny Token Exploiting Race. Very desirable 1795 token, being the first metal depiction of an African with albinism and a very early, some indicate the first, metal usage of race for marketing purposes other than slavery. In later years, she seems to have become her own manager and rented herself and her likeness for compensation. Amelia Lewsham or Newsham, kown as “the white negress,” was born in Jamaica about 1748 to a black couple from whom she inherited a recessive gene causing albinism. She was described as being ‘as fair as the fairest among the Europeans,’ though her features were those of her parents, of west African origin. Her mother was a house slave of Sir Simon Clarke, sixth baronet, who lived in Spanish Town. In 1753 Clarke sent her to England, to his son Kingsmill Clarke of the Inner Temple. He sold Amelia to John Bennett or Burnet, who kept a bird and beast shop off St Martin’s Lane in London. Kingsmill Clarke asked for 4