Created by

Ayers, Lemuel, American, 1915 - 1955

Subject of

Bailey, Pearl, American, 1918 - 1990

Medium

watercolor, graphite and ink on paper with cloth and metal staples

Dimensions

H x W: 12 1/8 x 9 9/16 in. (30.8 x 24.3 cm)

Type

design drawings

Place used

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1945

Description

A watercolor sketch by Lemuel Ayers of a costume for the musical "St. Louis Woman", as performed in 1946. This costume is for the character "Butterfly" performed by Pearl Bailey. At the center of the sheet of paper is a light sketch in pencil painted over in watercolor of a woman wearing a patterned, light green dress with a pink bouse and green puff sleeves with dark green bows at the shoulders and cuffs, a bow with a long sash at the waist, a hat with a bow, and a veil. At the upper left hand corner, in ink, is handwritten [Sk # 73]. At the upper right hand corner of the paper is a drawing, not overpainted, showing the back view of the dress. Behind the figure of the woman are some lightly painted lines indicating a wall and floorboards. Stapled to the lower right hand corner of the paper is a small piece of paper with handwriting at the top, in ink: [Bailey Sk 73/ Butterfly]. Below this, four (4) swatches of pink, green, yellow and gray fabric are stapled and/or glued. Next to the swatches are notes, handwritten in ink, indicating where in the costume each fabric is used. Below the attached piece of paper, hand painted, is the text: [Butterfly./ Funeral]. At the bottom left corner, handwritten in graphite, is: [Pearl Bailey]. At the bottom right corner is a paper watermark. The verso of the sketch is covered in text. At the top is [# 73 - ], and below are instructions as to how many yards are needed of each type of fabric. The sketch is unsigned. On the verso, the paper is stamped at the lower right corner with a United Scenic Artists stamp.

Topic

African American

Art

Costume design

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2011.57.45.2ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Exhibition

Musical Crossroads

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Paramount Pictures, American, founded 1912

Subject of

Cole, Nat King, American, 1919 - 1965

Kitt, Eartha, American, 1927 - 2008

Bailey, Pearl, American, 1918 - 1990

Calloway, Cab, American, 1907 - 1994

Fitzgerald, Ella, American, 1917 - 1996

Jackson, Mahalia, American, 1911 - 1972

Dee, Ruby, American, 1924 - 2014

Juano Hernández, 1896 - 1970

Medium

ink on poster board

Dimensions

H x W: 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm)

Type

lobby cards

Place depicted

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, North and Central America

Date

1958

Description

A lobby card for the movie St. Louis Blues. The card features a depiction of four cast members on the right: Barney Bigard, Nat "King" Cole, Eartha Kitt, and Cab Calloway. To the left of that image is a red square with the title: [St. Louis Blues] inside, and below the title a list of film credits.

Topic

African American

Actors

Blues (Music)

Film

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2010.34.14

Restrictions & Rights

© 1958 Paramount Pictures. Permission required for use.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Williams, Milton, American, born 1940

Subject of

Bailey, Pearl, American, 1918 - 1990

Olby, George, American

Hyson, Millie, American

Savoy, Michael, American

Ingram, Linda, American

Durrant, John, American

Unidentified Man or Men

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper, mounting board

Dimensions

H x W (Image and Sheet): 7 7/8 x 9 7/8 in. (20 x 25.1 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place depicted

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

March 13, 1976

Description

A black-and-white photograph of a group of young adults sitting around a table with Pearl Bailey. Pearl Bailey reaches up to hold Michael Savoy’s head as he leans forward over her shoulder and the people around them laugh. The table is set with a flower arrangement and two burning candles. The photograph is attached to a thick mounting board. The board is stamped on the back.

Topic

African American

Actors

Education

Humanitarianism

Photography

Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Milton Williams Archives

Object number

2011.15.40

Restrictions & Rights

© Milton Williams

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Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Smith, Marvin, American, 1910 - 2003

Subject of

Bailey, Pearl, American, 1918 - 1990

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 9 11/16 × 7 11/16 in. (24.6 × 19.5 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 9 15/16 × 7 15/16 in. (25.2 × 20.2 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place used

United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1960

Description

A black and white photographic portrait of Pearl Bailey. In the top left-hand corner of the photo is a cursive inscription handwritten in pencil, signed by the actress. Below and to the right of the writing is a woman. She is looking over her right shoulder and is wearing a black, patterned top with earrings and a necklace. On the back of the photo it says, "Photo by M. Smith/ 243-251 W. 125th Street/ MO. 2-3168 New York, N.Y. / Credit line must be observed/ Must not be syndicated, loaned, or used for advertising purposes without permission."

Topic

African American

Broadway Theatre

Entertainers

Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2013.118.182.3

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Unidentified

Distributed by

William Morris Agency, American, 1898 - 2009

Subject of

Bailey, Pearl, American, 1918 - 1990

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 8 11/16 × 7 9/16 in. (22 × 19.2 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 9 15/16 × 8 1/8 in. (25.2 × 20.7 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Date

ca. 1947

Description

A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Pearl Bailey. She is depicted leaning against a large, white, imperial guardian lion statue. She is wearing a light colored, long-sleeved shimmering evening gown, gathered at the waist. Her proper right hand rests on the statue's foot, while her proper left hand is on her hip. Her head is turned and she looks away, towards the left side of the image. At the top left corner of the image is a handwritten inscription in black ink that reads, [Mme / Cathrell, kindly / may I have two / dozen by Wednesday. / Remember me the / promise et al. / Pearlie Mae]. The image is bordered with white and along bottom is black text on the left and right sides. The text in the lower left corner reads, [PEARL BAILEY]. The text in the lower right corner reads, [XXXX / Exclusive Management / WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY / INC. / NEW YORK CHICAGO LONDON HOLLYWOOD]. There are no inscriptions on the back of the photograph.

Topic

African American

Actors

Broadway Theatre

Entertainers

Jazz (Music)

Nightlife

Photography

Singers (Musicians)

Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2013.46.25.81

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Playbill, American, founded 1884

Used by

St. James Theatre, American, founded 1927

Subject of

Bailey, Pearl, American, 1918 - 1990

Calloway, Cab, American, 1907 - 1994

Yancy, Emily, American, born 1939

Brewer, Sherri, American

Hemsley, Winston DeWitt

King, Mabel, American, 1932 - 1999

Freeman, Morgan, American, born 1937

Lawson, Roger

Rasulala, Thalmus, American, 1939 - 1991

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 x 6 in. (22.9 x 15.2 cm)

Type

theater programs

Place used

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

Playbill for Hello, Dolly! White background with yellow box at top; photograph below depicts a man and a woman; the woman is wearing a large hat and is holding up one finger while the man has his hands in his pockets. [St. James/Theatre/PLAYBILL/the national magazine for theatregoers/Hello, Dolly!] White circular sticker on back, handwritten 1968.

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic

African American

Actors

Broadway Theatre

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kayla Deigh Owens

Object number

2011.45.43

Restrictions & Rights

Playbill used by permission. All rights reserved, Playbill Inc.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

MelPat Associates, American, 1965 - 1986

Created by

Patrick, C. Melvin, American, died 1985

Subject of

Drew, Charles Richard, American, 1904 - 1950

President Johnson, Lyndon Baines, American, 1908 - 1973

Wilkins, Roy, American, 1901 - 1981

National Pan-Hellenic Council, American, founded 1930

Humphrey, Hubert Horatio Jr., American, 1911 - 1978

Dr. King, Martin Luther Jr., American, 1929 - 1968

Dr. Mays, Benjamin Elijah, American, 1894 - 1984

Ebenezer Baptist Church, American, founded 1886

Southern Christian Leadership Conference, American, founded 1957

Sen. Brooke, Edward, American, born 1919

Tydings, Joseph Davies, American, 1928 - 2018

Pierce, Lawrence Warren, American, born 1924

Baker, Bertram L., American, 1898 - 1985

Morse, Wayne L., American, 1900 - 1974

Belafonte, Harry Jr., American, born 1927

King, Coretta Scott, American, 1927 - 2006

Rev. Abernathy, Ralph David, American, 1926 - 1990

Parks, Gordon, American, 1912 - 2006

Morehouse College, American, founded 1867

Sutton, Percy Ellis, American, 1920 - 2009

Rustin, Bayard, American, 1912 - 1987

Eugene Nickerson, American, 1918 - 2002

Farbstein, Leonard, American, 1902 - 1993

Senator Robert F. Kennedy, American, 1925 - 1968

The Girl Friends, Inc., American, founded 1927

McKissick, Floyd, American, 1922 - 1991

Interracial Council for Business Opportunity, American, founded 1963

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, American, founded 1909

National Urban League, American, founded 1910

Perry, Harold Robert

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, American, founded 1920

National Newspaper Publishers Association, American, founded 1827

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., American, founded 1911

International Free and Accepted Modern Masons, Inc. and Order of the Eastern Star, American, founded 1950

Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of the World, American, founded 1898

New York Jets, American, founded 1960

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry

National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc., founded 1919

National Medical Association, American, founded 1895

National Dental Association, American, founded 1913

Murray, Joan

Schuyler, Philippa, American, 1931 - 1967

Gordy, Berry Jr., American, born 1929

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., American, founded 1906

Shriners International, American, founded 1870

Sen. Brooke, Edward, American, born 1919

Poitier, Sidney, American, born 1927

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., American, founded 1911

Kaiser, Inez Yeargan, American, 1918 - 2016

Bailey, Pearl, American, 1918 - 1990

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, founded 1908

National Council of Negro Women, founded 1935

Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc., American, founded 1937

National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., American, founded 1935

National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Inc.

Mangum, Robert J., American, 1920 - 2014

369th Veterans Association, American

National Association of Market Developers, American, founded 1953

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W x D: 12 × 8 7/8 × 3/16 in. (30.5 × 22.5 × 0.5 cm)

Type

magazines (periodicals)

Place made

Harlem, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

A 1968 issue of Delegate magazine published by MelPat Associates. The cover of the magazine is white and a yellow ribbon, blue ribbon and a pink ribbon at center. Each of the ribbons has the word [DELEGATE] at center. The inside of the magazine contains black and white photographs, articles and advertisements as well as profiles of prominent people within the African American community.

The magazines content begins with a memorial editorial to Martin Luther King, Jr. And Robert F. Kennedy. It continues with an article titled [Black Power Marketing to Negro Consumers]. The article includes images of President Johnson, Vice President Humphrey and members of the presidential commission to investigate city riots. The publication continues with several pages of photographs Martin Luther King, Jr.’s funeral. People identified in captions for the photographs are Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, Senator Edward Brooke, Senator Joseph Tydings, Lawrence Pierce, Wayne Morse, Bertram Baker, Senator Edward Brooke, Harry Belafonte Jr., Gordon Parks, Coretta Scott King, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Percy Ellis Sutton, Bayard Rustin, Benjamin Wright, Eugene Nickerson and Leonard Farbstein. Following this is a double page image of Robert F. Kennedy’s funeral procession.

Throughout the magazine are portraits, profiles, and short articles about business organizations such as the Interracial Council for Business Opportunity, the National Association of Market Developers, National Association of Negro Musicians and the National Dental Association as well as fraternity and sorority events for Omega Psi Phi, Kapa Alpha Psi, and Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Lamda Kappa Mu, and articles on events such as the National Conference of the Urban League, International Conference of Grand Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Convention of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

There are also profiles on musicians performing at the Lincoln Center, Morehouse College, the Democratic Party, debutant balls, the New York Giants, 369th Veterans Association, National Pan-Hellenic Council and notable African American business leaders, labor leaders, community leaders, political leaders, doctors, nurses, artists, and activists from across the United States but primarily in New York City.

There are approximately 154 pages. The magazine contains both black and white and color advertisements. The back cover has an advertisement for Johnnie Walker Red scotch.

Topic

African American

Advertising

Associations and institutions

Business

Communities

Football

Fraternal organizations

Fraternities

Government

Journalism

Labor

Mass media

Men

Political organizations

Politics (Practical)

Professional organizations

Religious groups

Sororities

United States--History--1961-1969

United States--Social life and customs

Urban life

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Anne B. Patrick and the family of Hilda E. Stokely

Object number

2012.167.3

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture