NMAAHC Collections Search

Letter written by John Brown and Frederick Douglass to Brown's wife and children

Written by: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895; Brown, John, American, 1800 - 1859
Received by: Brown, Mary Ann, American, 1817 - 1884

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in. (25.1 x 20 cm)

Type: letters (correspondence)

Place made: Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 30, 1858

Description: A letter written by John Brown and Frederick Douglass from Rochester, New York, on January 30, 1858, to Brown's wife and children. The letter is handwritten in black ink on the front and back sides of a single sheet of paper. The letter is first written by Brown, who does not sign his portion beyond "Your Affectionate Husband and Father." Brown writes of missing his wife and children very much, but of not being able to visit them. He also asks his daughter Ruth about her husband, Henry Thompson, becoming involved in Brown's "school," coded language for Brown's militant abolitionist dealings. He further speaks of recruiting his sons for his work and requests that the family write to him under the name "N. Hawkins: Care of Fred'k Douglas [sic] Esq'r Rochester N[.] Y." Douglass writes on the lower half of the verso page with his words oriented three different directions to fit the page. He speaks of his friendship with the Brown family and invites any of them to his home, where John Brown is staying, signing as "Fred. Douglass."

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Correspondence; Domestic life; Fatherhood; Government; Resistance; Slavery

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2009.26.3

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials; Slavery and Freedom Objects

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Frederick Douglass

Created by: Battey, C. M., American, 1873 - 1927
Subject of: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image): 9 × 7 1/8 in. (22.9 × 18.1 cm); H x W x D (Sheet size): 12 1/16 × 10 1/4 in. (30.6 × 26 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Date: ca. 1895

Description: A seated portrait of an older Frederick Douglass. Douglass wears a suit with bow tie, jacket and vest.

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Photography; Slavery; Social reform

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2009.37.1

Restrictions & Rights: © Tuskegee Archives

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Ambrotype of Frederick Douglass

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895

Medium: collodion and silver on glass photographic plates, leather
Dimensions: H x W (Image and Sheet): 4 3/4 x 3 7/8 in. (12.1 x 9.8 cm); Case open: 4 3/4 x 7 11/16 x 1/2 in. (12.1 x 19.5 x 1.3 cm); Case closed: 4 3/4 x 3 7/8 x 3/4 in. (12.1 x 9.8 x 1.9 cm)

Type: ambrotypes; portraits

Date: 1855-1865

Description: A black-and-white photograph of Frederick Douglass wearing a jacket, waistcoat, and bowtie. The wet plate ambrotype plates are housed in a folding leather case with tooled gilt oval mat.

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Photography; Slavery; Social reform

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.36.10ab

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Media Arts-Photography
Exhibition: Slavery and Freedom
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Fifteenth Amendment. Celebrated May 19th 1870

Created by: Kelly, Thomas
Subject of: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895; Delany, Martin Robison, American, 1812 - 1885; Revels, Hiram Rhodes, American, 1827 - 1901; President Grant, Ulysses S., American, 1822 - 1885; Colfax, Schulyer, American, 1823 - 1885; President Lincoln, Abraham, American, 1809 - 1865
Recorded by: Brown, John, American, 1800 - 1859

Medium: lithographic ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 20 1/2 x 26 1/4 in. (52.1 x 66.7 cm)

Type: color lithographs

Place depicted: Baltimore, Maryland, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1870

Description: At center, a depiction of a parade in celebration of the passing of the 15th Amendment. Framing it are portraits and vignettes illustrating the rights granted by the 15th Amendment: "We till our own fields," "The Ballot Box is Open to Us," "We Unite in the Bonds of Fellowship with the Whole Human Race," etc.

Topic: African American; Art; Civil Rights; Law; Military; Politics (Practical); Reconstruction (United States History, 1865-1877)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.45.11

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Visual Arts
Exhibition: Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Republican Notification Committee, Washington, D.C., Monday, June 20th, 1892

Photograph by: Prince, Fotografer, American, 1847 - 1929
Subject of: President McKinley, William, American, 1843 - 1901; President Harrison, Benjamin, American, 1833 - 1901; Harris, Charles Oscar, American, 1852 - 1913; Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895; Unidentified Man or Men

Medium: silver and albumen on photographic paper and cardboard
Dimensions: 18 x 24 in. (45.7 x 61 cm); H x W: 15 x 21 1/2 in. (38.1 x 54.6 cm)

Type: albumen prints; portraits

Place captured: Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1892

Description: A black-and-white photograph of men seated and standing in front of a doorway. They wear coats, many wear ties, and several hold bowler and top-hats. At the bottom right of the photograph is the address, "11th and Pa. Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C." Below the photograph is written "Republican Notification Comittee / Washington, D.C., / Monday, June 20th 1892." Frederick Douglass stands at the back, just left of the doorway.

Topic: African American; Local and regional; Photography; Politics (Practical); Race relations; United States--History--1865-1921

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Family of Charles Oscar Harris

Object number: 2010.56

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Pinback button featuring Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: President Lincoln, Abraham, American, 1809 - 1865; Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895

Medium: ink on paper with metal and plastic
Dimensions: H x W: 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 in. (4.4 x 4.4 cm)

Type: buttons (information artifacts)

Date: 1960s

Description: A round pinback button featuring a black-and-white photographic portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the proper left and a black-and-white photographic portrait of Frederick Douglass on the proper right. The portraits are in the center against a cream background. A gold colored border surrounds the outside edge of the button with bands of blue with white stars at the top and bottom center and bands of white with red stripes at the right and left center.

Topic: African American; Politics (Practical); Race relations; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.77.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave

Written by: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895
Published by: Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, American, founded 1835
Subject of: Garrison, William Lloyd, American, 1805 - 1879; Phillips, Wendell, American, 1811 - 1884

Medium: ink on paper, cardboard
Dimensions: H x W x D: 7 x 4 1/2 x 5 in. (17.8 x 11.4 x 12.7 cm); H x W x D (open at 90 degrees): 7 × 5 × 4 7/8 in. (17.8 × 12.7 × 12.4 cm); H x W x D (open at 60 degrees): 7 × 5 × 4 1/4 in. (17.8 × 12.7 × 10.8 cm)

Type: narratives; hardcover books

Place printed: Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1845

Description: A first edition copy of the memoir and antislavery book Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself. The hardcover book has a brown cover with an imprinted decorative border and scrollwork. The title is stamped in gold lettering in the center: [NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE / OF / FREDERICK DOUGLASS]. The frontispiece illustration is a portrait of Douglass, seated at a table, wearing jacket, vest, and tie, with his hands crossed in his lap. The first page prints the full title in alternating large and small type: [NARRATIVE / OF THE / LIFE / OF / FREDERICK DOUGLASS, / AN / AMERICAN SLAVE. / WRITTEN BY HIMSELF]. The last part of the title appears between two horizontal lines. At the bottom center is the publishing information: [BOSTON: / PUBLISHED AT THE ANTI-SLAVERY OFFICE, / No. 25 CORNHILL / 1845.]. The book has a preface written by William Lloyd Garrison and a prefatory letter by Wendell Phillips. There are 125 pages.

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Freedom; Identity; Literature; Men; Resistance; Slavery; United States--History--1815-1861

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Elizabeth Cassell

Object number: 2011.43.1

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

My Bondage and My Freedom

Written by: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895
Published by: Miller, Orton & Co.
Subject of: Smith, Gerrit, American, 1794 - 1874

Medium: ink on paper, cardboard, leather
Dimensions: H x W x D: 7 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 1 3/4 in. (19.1 x 14 x 4.4 cm); H x W x D (IN SPECIALLY MADE STAND): 5 1/8 × 7 5/16 × 7 1/2 in. (13 × 18.6 × 19.1 cm)

Type: narratives; hardcover books

Place printed: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1857

Description: Hardcover book entitled "My Bondage and My Freedom" with an illustration of Frederick Douglass as frontispiece. This slave narrative is dedicated to Gerrit Smith.

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Identity; Literature; Slavery; Social reform

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Elizabeth Cassell

Object number: 2011.43.2

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Published Works
Exhibition: Slavery and Freedom
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Handbill for a performance by the Fisk Jubilee Singers

Printed by: Tucker Printing House, American
Subject of: Fisk Jubilee Singers, American, founded 1871; Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895; Twain, Mark, American, 1835 - 1910

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 8 3/4 x 6 1/4 in. (22.2 x 15.9 cm)

Type: handbills

Place printed: Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1875

Description: A paper handbill advertisement for a performance by the Jubilee Singers on March 23, 1875 at City Hall in an unnamed location. One side of the handbill has the printed title [A SONG FROM FREDERICK DOUGLASS] at the top and then recounts a visit of the Jubilee Singers with Frederick Douglass where he shared a spiritual that he sang while enslaved that inspired him to seek freedom in the North. The lyrics of the song are printed in the center of the handbill. The details for the upcoming performance are printed at the bottom center in large text [CITY HALL / ON THE EVENING OF / TUESDAY, MARCH 23D, 1875. / Tickets now on sale at Stockbridge's]. At the bottom left corner in small print is [Tucker Printing House, Portland.]; The other side of the handbill has printed a letter to [Theo. F. Seward, Esq.] from Samuel Clemens recounting how much he enjoys performances by the Jubilee Singers. At the top of the page in large text is printed [MARK TWAIN / AND THE / Jubilee Singers]. At the bottom center of the page is the text [CITY HALL, / TUESDAY EVENING!].

Topic: African American; Amusements; Folk (Music); Resistance; Singers (Musicians); Slavery; Spirituals (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2011.57.1

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Broadside for "Men of Color" Recruitment

Written by: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895

Medium: printing ink on rag paper
Dimensions: H x W x D (framed): 95 × 48 5/8 × 2 3/4 in. (241.3 × 123.5 × 7 cm); H x W: 93 3/4 × 46 1/4 in. (238.1 × 117.5 cm)

Type: broadsides

Place made: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1863

Description: Large three-sheet broadside promoting "Men of Color" to enlist in the Army; text printed in relief with carved wood type and cast letterpress/metal type. Text reads "MEN OF COLOR To Arms! To Arms!"

Topic: African American; Military; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line: 201Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2012.133

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements
Exhibition: Slavery and Freedom
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Carte-de-visite of Frederick Douglass

Photograph by: Unidentified
Subject of: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895; Douglass, Helen Pitts, American, 1838 - 1903

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 3 3/4 × 2 1/4 in. (9.5 × 5.7 cm)

Type: cartes-de-visite; portraits

Date: 1862 - 1870

Description: This carte-de-visite depicts Douglass from the shoulders up in three-quarter profile view gazing to the viewer's right. Wearing a light colored collar, dark coat, and dark cravat, Douglass has a mustache, as well as a light streak in his hair. The reverse side has a laurel wreath in ink in the center. Text originally inside the wreath is obscured due to paper loss. Below the wreath is an inscription that reads “Helen Douglass.”

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Photography; Politics (Practical)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Carole A. Hyman

Object number: 2016.56

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

The North Star, Volume 1, Number 22

Created by: The North Star, American, 1847 - 1859
Edited by: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895
Published by: Nell, William Cooper, American, 1816 - 1874
Edited by: Delany, Martin Robison, American, 1812 - 1885
Written by: Mott, Lucretia, American, 1793 - 1880
Printed by: Dick, John, British

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W (Folded): 25 × 18 1/4 in. (63.5 × 46.4 cm); H x W (Open): 24 13/16 × 36 5/16 in. (63 × 92.3 cm)

Type: newspapers

Place printed: Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: May 26, 1848

Description: The May 26, 1848 issue of the North Star, Volume 1, Number 22. The newspaper is one large sheet of paper that has been folded in half to create a four page spread. Each page is divided into seven columns of black text. On the front page mast head, large black text states [The North Star.] In the row below, the text on the far left reads [FREDERICK DOUGLASS / MR. DELANY, / EDITORS]. In the center, the text of the newspapers slogan reads, [RIGHT IS OF NO SEX - TRUTH IS OF NO COLOR- GOD IS THE FATHER OF US ALL, AMD ALL WE ARE BROTHREN] The text on the right of the heading states, [WILLIAM C. NELL, PUBLISHER / JOHN DICK, PRINTER]. The third row has the printed text, [VOL I. NO. 22. / ROCHESTER, N.Y., FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1848. / WHOLE NO. - 22.]. Included on the second page in the second panel is the speech of Lucretia Mott at the American Anti-Slavery Society.

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Communities; Free communities of color; Freedom; Mass media; Social reform; United States--History--1815-1861

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

Object number: 2017.36.5

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photographic souvenir of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Home in Anacostia, D.C.

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895; Talbert, Mary Burnett, American, 1866 - 1923; National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, American, founded 1896

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 8 x 18 in. (20.3 x 45.7 cm)

Type: souvenirs

Place depicted: Anacostia, Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1920

Description: A rectangular, framed photographic souvenir poster of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Home in Anancostia, D.C. The poster features three black-and-white photographs against a tan background. In the center is a rectangular photograph of the exterior of the Frederick Douglass house. To the proper left is an oval photographic portrait of Frederick Douglass, where he appears in profile from the chest up. Underneath the portrait is the text [FREDERICK DOUGLASS / Anti-Slavery Orator, Publicist and Journalist. Nominated for the "Hall of Fame."]. To the proper right is an oval photographic portrait of Mary B. Talbert, where she appears standing in profile, looking down at a white flower she holds in one hand, her other hand resting against the back of a chair. Beneath the portrait of Talbert is printed [MRS. MARY B. TALBERT / Of Buffalo, N.Y., Life Member, Trustee Board, Douglass Home. Under her administration and direction the Douglass Home was redeemed.].

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Photography; Slavery; Social reform

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2012.46.4

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Advertisement for Madam C. J. Walker products

Published by: Unidentified
Subject of: Walker, Madam C.J. Manufacturing Company, American, founded 1906; Walker, Madam C.J., American, 1867 - 1919; Washington, Booker T., American, 1856 - 1915; Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895; Hayes, Roland, American, 1887 - 1977; Calloway, Cab, American, 1907 - 1994; Spaulding, Charles Clinton, American, 1874 - 1952; Moton, Robert Russa, American, 1867 - 1940

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: Sheet: H x W: 21 1/4 x 15 5/16 in. (54 x 38.9 cm); Frame: H x W: 23 1/4 x 16 7/8 x 1 in. (59.1 x 42.9 x 2.5 cm)

Type: advertisements

Date: 1906-1950

Description: Double-sided full-page advertisement for Madam C. J. Walker products. Yellowed paper printed in dark brown ink. One side is titled "Amazing Progress of Colored Race / - improved appearance responsible" at the top. Underneath are portraits of Booker T. Washington, Roland Hayes, Cab Calloway, C. C. Spaulding, Dr. Moton and Frederick Douglass arranged in a semi-circle around the text "Good Looks, Neatness / Were Very Important Essentials / in the Success of these People." Each portrait is accompanied by a short note about the individual pictured. The bottom half of the page features a portrait of Madam C. J. Walker next to an images of a cabin and her home, Villa Lewaro. The images accompany text under the title "From Slave Cabin to Mansion / - the Greatest Benefactress of Our Race." The page also features an image of Walker's Wonder Pomade for men and other advertising text.; The reverse has tan text in a dark brown box at the top that reads "Look Your Best to Succeed / The Choicest Gifts of Society and Business / Go to Those Who Prepare Themselves and -- / "Look the Part"." Underneath, the page features illustrations of a beauty salon and portraits of multiple women in various poses. At the center of the page is a tan oval with brown text advertising Madam Walker’s beauty treatments. The advertisement is housed in a gold-painted wooden frame with clear glass on each side.

Topic: African American; Advertising; Beauty culture; Business; Men; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of A'Lelia Bundles / Madam Walker Family Archives

Object number: 2013.153.11.1

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Frederick Douglass

Created by: Ritchie, Alexander Hay, 1822 - 1895
Subject of: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895

Medium: ink on paper, wood, glass
Dimensions: frame: 12 9/16 x 10 15/16 x 7/8 in. (31.9 x 27.8 x 2.2 cm); H x W (object in frame): 5 1/2 x 4 5/8 in. (14 x 11.7 cm)

Type: lithographs; portraits

Date: ca. 1875

Description: A lithograph portrait of Frederick Douglass. Douglass is pictured wearing a dark colored suit and jacket with a white, high collared undershirt. He has a mustache. Typed below the portrait is “Eng. by A.H Ritchie. “ Written at the bottom of the portrait in black ink is “Frederick Douglass.”

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Emancipation; Reconstruction (United States History, 1865-1877); United States--History--1865-1921

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Joele and Fred Michaud

Object number: 2013.239.10

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Visual Arts; Slavery and Freedom Objects

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Print of Frederick Douglass

Published by: Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, American, 1852 - 1922
Subject of: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895

Medium: ink on paper, wood, glass
Dimensions: frame: 14 15/16 x 16 13/16 x 1 1/8 in. (37.9 x 42.7 x 2.9 cm); H x W (object in frame): 7 1/2 x 9 15/16 in. (19.1 x 25.2 cm)

Type: lithographs; portraits

Place printed: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1879

Description: A lithographic print of Frederick Douglass. The print is hand colored. Douglass is sitting at a desk and reading a newspaper. His right leg is crossed over his left and he is looking to his right. At the bottom underneath the image is “No. 7.—Our Artistic Correspondent interviewing Frederick Douglass in the District Marshal’s (sic) Office, Washington, D.C..” and “Illustrated Interviews with Eminent Public Men on Leading Topics of the Day.—see Page 258, 1879." The print is matted and framed.

Topic: African American; Emancipation; Mass media; Politics (Practical); Social reform; United States--History--1865-1921

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Joele and Fred Michaud

Object number: 2013.239.12

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Visual Arts; Slavery and Freedom Objects

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Harper’s Weekly: Journal of Civilization Vol XXVII, No. 1405

Published by: Harper & Brothers, American, 1817 - 1962
Subject of: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895

Medium: ink on paper, wood, glass
Dimensions: frame: 23 1/2 x 18 1/16 x 15/16 in. (59.7 x 45.9 x 2.4 cm); H x W: 15 x 10 in. (38.1 x 25.4 cm)

Type: portraits; magazines (periodicals)

Place printed: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: November 14, 1883

Description: The front page of Harper’s Weekly: Journal of Civilization, Vol. XXVII, No. 1405. It has a full-page portrait of Frederick Douglass. Douglass is wearing a suit in the portrait. Typed below the image is "FREDERICK DOUGLASS - [See Page 743]."

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Emancipation; Social reform; United States--History--1865-1921

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Joele and Fred Michaud

Object number: 2013.239.13

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Life Vol. 65, No. 21

Created by: Life Magazine, 1883 - 2007
Published by: Time Inc., American, founded 1922
Written by: Franklin, John Hope, American, 1915 - 2009; Butterfield, Roger, American, 1907 - 1981
Subject of: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895

Medium: ink on paper, metal
Dimensions: 13 5/8 x 10 1/2 x 1/4 in. (34.6 x 26.7 x 0.6 cm)

Type: magazines (periodicals)

Place printed: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: November 22, 1968

Description: A copy of LIfe Magazine from November 22, 1968. The cover of the magazine features an image of a photographic portrait of Frederick Douglass inside an ornamental gold and wooden frame set against a black background. At the top left is the LIFE title in white text against a rectangular red background. At center, in white text is [The Search / for a / BLACK PAST]. The issue is the first in a new series on "Negro History." The series is introduced on page 91 with the text [Here LIFE begins a new series which, taking a fresh look at Negro history, is an effort to place in proper perspective this richly significant segment of the American experience.]. The introduction is followed by an article written by John Hope Franklin titled "Rebels, Runaways and Heroes: The Bitter Years of Slavery." There are numerous illustrations, photographs, and artifacts. The magazine has 120 pages and the back cover is an advertisement for Pall Mall cigarettes.

Topic: African American; Education; Identity; Mass media; Race relations; Slavery; United States--History; United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Joele and Fred Michaud

Object number: 2013.239.16

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Drawing of Frederick Douglass

Created by: Nock, George, American, born 1946
Subject of: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 11 1/2 x 17 1/2 in. (29.2 x 44.5 cm)

Type: drawings; portraits

Date: after 1946

Description: An ink drawing of Frederick Douglass. Douglass is wearing a jacket and bowtie. He has a beard and his hair is combed back in the portrait.

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Emancipation; Social reform

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Joele and Fred Michaud

Object number: 2013.239.3

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Visual Arts; Slavery and Freedom Objects

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

The North Star, Vol. I No. 37

Created by: The North Star, American, 1847 - 1859
Edited by: Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895; Delany, Martin Robison, American, 1812 - 1885
Published by: Dick, John, British

Medium: ink on newsprint
Dimensions: H x W (folded): 13 3/16 × 18 1/2 in. (33.5 × 47 cm)

Type: newspapers

Place printed: Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: September 8, 1848

Description: The September 8, 1848 issue of the North Star, an antislavery newspaper published in Rochester, New York by Frederick Douglass. The paper is printed with black text on yellowed newsprint. The masthead reads [THE NORTH STAR. / RIGHT IS OF NO SEX-TRUTH IS OF NO COLOR-GOD IS THE FATHER OF US ALL, AND ALL WE ARE BRETHREN. / ROCHESTER, N. Y., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1848.] On the left side of the masthead is [FREDERICK DOUGLASS, / M. R. DELANY, / EDITORS / VOL. 1. NO. 37.] Printed on the right side of the masthead is [JOHN DICK, PUBLISHER / WHOLE NO.-37.]. The main text is organized into seven columns of small print. At the top of the column on the far left, above the publisher's notices and list of agents, is printed: [The object of the NORTH STAR will be to attack SLAVERY in all its forms and aspects; advocate UNIVERSAL EMANCIPATION; exalt the standard of PUBLIC MORALITY; promote the moral and intellectual improvement of the COLORED PEOPLE; and hasten the day of FREEDOM to the THREE MILLIONS of our ENSLAVED FELLOW COUNTRYMEN.] This issue contains several anti-slavery essays and letters, including a letter from Douglass to his previous enslaver Thomas Auld, titled [To My Old Master], as well as a critique of the Liberian colonization movement, news of the rebellion in Ireland, poetry, notices of anti-slavery society meetings around the region, and general advertisements.

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Communities; Free communities of color; Freedom; International affairs; Mass media; Social reform; United States--History--1815-1861

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2014.151.3

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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