This diminutive round of paper, blackened on the obverse and bearing
the words
"You have till ten to-night" on the reverse, is believed to be the
notorious "Black
Spot" passed by Blind Pew to William Bones and found upon his person
after
his death. The resulting inquiry led to the discovery, among Bones'
effects, of
a map made by the infamous pirate J. Flint, and in turn to the recovery,
on Skeleton
Island, of the enormous treasure in gold that provided the foundation
of the Hawkins
family fortune. (Provenance: acquired in 1884 from Amelia Hawkins,
grandaughter
of James Hawkins).
Back to the Museum