Written by

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Published by

Los Angeles Times, founded 1881

Medium

ink on paper (fiber product)

Type

clippings

Date

1976

Description

A copy of a 1976 commentary in the Los Angeles Times titled, "Looking for the Bicentennial Man." The article discusses Baldwin's views on the state of the United States 200 years after its independence. Baldwin was invited by the LA Times to write this article while residing in the South of France.

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic

African American

Communication

Literature

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.13

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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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

Created by

Pakay, Sedat, Turkish, 1945 - 2016

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 13 15/16 x 10 15/16 in. (35.4 x 27.8 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

Istanbul, Turkey, Middle East, Asia

Date

1964

Description

A black-and-white portrait of James Baldwin with his right hand on his left shoulder.

Topic

African American

Literature

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2011.20.1

Restrictions & Rights

© Sedat Pakay 1964

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Pakay, Sedat, Turkish, 1945 - 2016

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image and Sheet): 10 15/16 x 13 15/16 in. (27.8 x 35.4 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

Istanbul, Turkey, Middle East, Asia

Date

1966

Description

A photograph of James Baldwin sitting at a typewriter and smoking a cigarette.

Topic

African American

Literature

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2011.20.2

Restrictions & Rights

© Sedat Pakay 1966

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Pakay, Sedat, Turkish, 1945 - 2016

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 10 15/16 x 13 15/16 in. (27.8 x 35.4 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

Istanbul, Turkey, Middle East, Asia

Date

1965

Description

A photograph of James Baldwin in a dark shirt. He is on the water of the Golden Horn.

Topic

African American

Literature

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2011.20.3

Restrictions & Rights

© Sedat Pakay 1965

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Pakay, Sedat, Turkish, 1945 - 2016

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 13 15/16 x 10 15/16 in. (35.4 x 27.8 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place captured

Istanbul, Turkey, Middle East, Asia

Date

1965

Description

A black-and-white photograph of James Baldwin standing with sailors in front of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.

Topic

African American

Literature

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2011.20.4

Restrictions & Rights

© Sedat Pakay 1965

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Owned by

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium

glass and brass

Dimensions

L x W: 3 1/2 x 5 1/4 in. (8.9 x 13.3 cm)

Type

inkwells

Place used

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date

mid 20th century

Description

Inkwell with a glass base and a brass top. This was among James Baldwin's personal effects from his house in St. Paul de Vence in the South of France.

Topic

African American

Literature

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.1

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Classification

Tools and Equipment-Personal use

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Used by

Actors Studio, American, founded 1947

Received by

Gunn, Bill, American, 1934 - 1989

Medium

ink on paper (fiber product), imitation leather

Dimensions

11 1/2 x 8 3/4 x 7/8 in. (29.2 x 22.2 x 2.2 cm)

Type

scripts (documents)

Place used

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

Date

1964

Description

James Baldwin's personal copy of Blues for Mr. Charlie, an original mimeographed play scrip. The script is bound in pale blue leatherette with large brass rivets. The script is inscribed to fellow-writer and filmmaker William Gunn "For Bill Gunn, at last, Jimmy B." and additionally "J.B." Baldwin scribbled over the words "Property of Actors Studio Theatre, 745 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y" with the same black marker.

.

Topic

African American

Civil rights

Drama (Theatre)

Literature

Credit Line

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

Object number

2011.57.19

Restrictions & Rights

© Estate of James Baldwin. Permission required for use.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Packard, Cynthia

Received by

Baldwin, David, American

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium

ink or paper (fiber product)

Dimensions

H x W (letter): 11 x 8 1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm)

H x W (envelope): 4 1/4 x 9 1/2 in. (10.8 x 24.1 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place depicted

Route de la Colle, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

325 New Africa House, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America

Date

July 20, 1994

Description

A typewritten letter (a) dated July 20, 1994 from Cynthia Packard, James Baldwin’s former assistant, to David Baldwin. In the letter Packard conveys her feelings about James Baldwin and how she misses him even seven years after his death. Packard signed the letter with "Cyndie." Also included is the envelope (b) that the letter was sent in. The letter was sent from the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where Packard taught.

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic

African American

Correspondence

Literature

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.32ab

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

7 1/8 x 9 7/16 in. (18.1 x 24 cm)

Type

photographs

portraits

Place captured

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date

1970-1987

Description

A black-and-white photograph of James Baldwin sitting at his work table in his home in the South of France.

Topic

African American

Literature

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.34

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium

dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 6 x 4 in. (15.2 x 10.2 cm)

Type

photographs

Place captured

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date

ca. 1987

Description

A color photograph depicting a memorial to James Baldwin inside his house in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France. The memorial consists of ten (10) candles placed across the mantel piece along with three photographs of Baldwin, a piece of art (far left), and a framed poster (center, above mantle).

Topic

African American

Literature

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.35

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium

dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 5 x 3 1/2 in. (12.7 x 8.9 cm)

Type

photographs

Place depicted

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date

December 1978

Description

A color photograph depicting James Baldwin and Jeanne Faure, the owner of his house, standing outside the home in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.

Topic

African American

Literature

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.36

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Unidentified Man or Men

Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium

dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 3 1/2 x 5 in. (8.9 x 12.7 cm)

Type

photographs

Place depicted

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date

July 1973

Description

A color photograph depicting James Baldwin seated at a table outside his home in the South of France with six other people drinking, smoking, and eating.

Topic

African American

Literature

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.40.1

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Unidentified Man or Men

Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium

dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 3 1/2 x 5 in. (8.9 x 12.7 cm)

Type

photographs

Place depicted

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date

July 1973

Description

A color photograph depicting James Baldwin seated at a table outside his home in the South of France with six other people drinking, smoking, and eating.

Topic

African American

Literature

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.40.2

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Unidentified Man or Men

Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium

dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 3 1/2 x 5 in. (8.9 x 12.7 cm)

Type

photographs

Place depicted

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date

July 1973

Description

A color photograph of James Baldwin and three others seated at a table outside his home in the South of France.

Topic

African American

Literature

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.40.3

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Unidentified Man or Men

Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium

dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 3 1/2 x 5 in. (8.9 x 12.7 cm)

Type

photographs

Place depicted

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date

July 1973

Description

A color photograph of James Baldwin and five others seated at a table outside his home in the South of France.

Topic

African American

Literature

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.40.4

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

Playbill, American, founded 1884

Written by

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Printed by

Unidentified

Edited by

Ross, Blake

Subject of

Hansberry, Lorraine, American, 1930 - 1965

Leon, Kenny, American, born 1956

Washington, Denzel, American, born 1954

Richardson, LaTanya, American, born 1949

Okonedo, Sophie, British, born 1968

Ethel Barrymore Theatre, American, founded 1928

Medium

ink on paper with metal

Dimensions

H x W x D (2015.64.14.1 Closed): 8 9/16 × 5 3/8 × 3/16 in. (21.7 × 13.7 × 0.5 cm)

H x W x D (2015.64.14.1 Open): 8 9/16 × 10 3/8 × 7/8 in. (21.7 × 26.3 × 2.2 cm)

H x W x D (2015.64.14.2 Closed): 9 × 4 1/4 (22.8 × 10.8 × 0.1 cm)

H x W x D (2015.64.14.2 Open): 9 × 12 5/8 × 1 in. (22.8 × 32 × 2.5 cm)

L x W (2015.64.14.3): 9 1/16 × 4 1/16 in. (23 × 10.3 cm)

Type

theater programs

Date

April 2014

Description

Playbill magazine (2015.61.14.1), April 2014, featuring the play, "A Raisin in the Sun" written by Lorraine Hansberry, directed by Kenny Leon, starring Denzel Washington, LaTanya Richardson, and Sophie Okonedo, and performed at the Ethel Barrymore Theater, New York 2014. The top third of the cover is the masthead, a yellow rectangular field with black type with the magazine's title, [PLAYBILL ®] above the text [ETHEL BARRYMORE THEATER]. Below the masthead and outlined with a Kente cloth border, is a black-and-white image tinted blue of a young boy on a street. The boy walks past a row of receding buildings seen in the upper right quadrant to the upper left. The boy is pictured on the right side near the lower corner. He holds something to his mouth in his proper left hand and holds books under his proper right arm. Behind him, centered in the image, is a woman wearing a long coat, carrying an umbrella on her proper left arm. Overlaying the image is a narrow, a Kente cloth outline of a circle. In the lower third of the image, justified on the left side, is orange text with the title of the play, which is also the main coverline, [a RAISIN / in the SUN]. Below the image at the bottom is a small yellow rectangle with a website in black text. The back cover features an ad for Gucci cologne. The magazine has fifty-two (52) pages.

A tri-folded pamphlet of the essay "Sweet Lorraine" (2015.61.14.2) about Lorraine Hansberry, written by James Baldwin. Printed on semi-gloss paper, the pamphlet is navy blue with stylized, Kente cloth borders throughout. On the front in the upper right corner is a circular, black-and-white image of Lorraine Hansberry. Overlapping the image is white block text [SWEET / LORRAINE]. Below the title is the byline in orange text, [BY JAMES BALDWIN] followed by a line of white text that reads [THAT'S THEY WAY I ALWAYS FELT ABOUT YOU, AND SO / I WON'T APOLOGIZE FOR CALLING HER THAT NOW.]. Below the text and byline is the beginning of Baldwin's essay in white text. The inside of the pamphlet the essay continues and features four (4) circular black and white images of cityscapes. In the lower left corner of the back page is an additional black-and-white image of Hansberry. Above and around the image are the final paragraphs of the essay.

A narrow cell phone reminder flyer (2015.61.14.3) with navy blue background with a narrow, stylized Kente cloth border, printed on glossy paper. Covering the whole of flyer is block text of varying sizes. The text is in orange and white, justified on the right side and reads [DEAR FRIENDS, / PLEASE / PROTECT YOUR / OWN GOOD TIME / AND THAT OF YOUR / NEIGHBOR BY / TURNING / OFF YOUR / CELL/ PHONE / NOW. / THANK YOU.]. The reverse is blank.

Topic

African American

Actors

Broadway Theatre

Domestic life

Families

Poverty

Race discrimination

Race relations

Segregation

Theatre companies

Urban life

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kathleen M. Kendrick

Object number

2015.64.14.1-.3

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

Exhibition

Taking the Stage

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 054

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Received by

Baldwin, Berdis, American

Medium

ink on paper (fiber product)

Dimensions

L x W: 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (8.9 x 14 cm)

Type

postcards

Place depicted

Paris, Île-de-France, France, Europe

Place collected

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

Date

July 14, 1969

Description

A handwritten postcard from James Baldwin to his mother, Berdis Baldwin, written while on a Pan Am flight to Istanbul. The postcard is postmarked July 14, 1969. The front of the postcard depicts "A view of Paris and the River Seine."

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic

African American

Correspondence

Literature

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.50

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium

dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

L x W: 4 1/4 x 3 1/2 in. (10.8 x 8.9 cm)

Type

photographs

Place depicted

Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date

October 1987

Description

A color photograph of objects placed on the mantle above the fireplace in James Baldwin's house in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.

Topic

African American

Literature

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number

2011.99.58

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Pakay, Sedat, Turkish, 1945 - 2016

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Haizlip, Ellis, American, 1930 - 1991

Baldwin, David, American

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 10 15/16 x 13 15/16 in. (27.8 x 35.4 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place captured

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

Date

1970

Description

A black-and-white photograph of James Baldwin, left, with his brother David and assorted friends. Baldwin, Ellis Haizlip, and David all clasp hands under a lamp in the corner.

Topic

African American

Literature

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2011.20.10

Restrictions & Rights

Sedat Pakay © 1970

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Pakay, Sedat, Turkish, 1945 - 2016

Subject of

Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 10 15/16 x 13 15/16 in. (27.8 x 35.4 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

Istanbul, Turkey, Middle East, Asia

Date

1966

Description

A black-and-white photograph of James Baldwin standing on the Galata Bridge. Behind him, a mosque and some birds in flight.

Topic

African American

Literature

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2011.20.5

Restrictions & Rights

Sedat Pakay © 1966

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture