NMAAHC Collections Search

Deed of sale between William Walker and John and Joan Gunston

Written by: Unidentified
Subject of: Walker, William, English
Signed by: Gunston, John, English; Gunston, Joan, English; Gunston, Ursula, English; Warren, Thomas, English; Bulkeley, William, English; Manby, James, English

Medium: ink on vellum
Dimensions: H x W: 20 3/8 × 28 1/8 in. (51.8 × 71.4 cm)

Type: deeds; indentures

Place made: Somerset County, England, Europe; Saint George, Barbados, Caribbean, North and Central America

Date: March 28, 1685

Description: A deed of sale document between William Walker and John and Joan Gunston for the sum of seven hundred pounds. The upper left corner of text is embellished with stylized writing. The bottom of the document has the signatures of John and Joan Gunston. Both signatures have attached seals with paper ribbons attached. The document begins “This Indenture made the Eight and Twentieth day of March In the first yeare of the reined of our Sovereign Lord James the second by the grace / of God of England Scottland Ffrance and Ireland King defender of the faith Anno Dni 1685 Betweene John Gunston and Joan Gunston Spinster both of Taunton Deane / in the county of Somersett Nephew and Niece Captain Thomas Gunston late of the parish of St. George in the island of Barbados (illegible) on the one part And William Walker / Cittizen and Ironmonger of London of the other part Withnesseth that they the said John Gunston and Joan Gunston as well for and in consideration of the summe of Seven / hundred pounds of lawfull money of England to them in hand payd by the said William Walker…” The middle of the document mentions the ownership and transfer of the Negro slaves. Written on the back side of the document at center is “28th March 1684 / Mr Jhn Gunston & Mrs Joan Gunston Conveyance / to Mr. William Walker.” On the back in the upper left corner is a small summary of the exchange of funds with witness signatures. In the upper right corner is a statement of understanding signed by Ursula Gunston. Witness signatures and a small wax seal stamp are also present.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Business; Communication; Trans Atlantic slave trade

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

Object number: 2010.1.316

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-Business and Legal Documents
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

Deed of sale including 237 enslaved persons in transaction

Written by: Moulton and Rushton, British
Signed by: Smith, Robert,1st Baron Carrington, British, 1752 - 1838; Payne, René, British; Smith, Samuel, British, 1754 - 1834; Smith, George, British, 1765 - 1836; Smith, John, British, 1767 - 1842

Medium: ink on vellum, wax
Dimensions: H x W (page 1): 22 7/16 × 27 15/16 in. (57 × 71 cm); H x W (page 2): 21 7/8 × 27 15/16 in. (55.5 × 71 cm); H x W (page 3): 22 1/4 × 27 7/8 in. (56.5 × 70.8 cm); H x W (page 4): 22 7/16 × 27 15/16 in. (57 × 71 cm); H x W (page 5): 22 7/16 × 27 15/16 in. (57 × 71 cm); H x W (page 6): 22 1/4 × 27 15/16 in. (56.5 × 71 cm); H x W (page 7): 22 1/4 × 27 3/4 in. (56.5 × 70.5 cm)

Type: deeds; indentures

Place made: London, England, Europe
Place used: Saint Catherine, Jamaica, Caribbean, North and Central America

Date: August 20, 1798

Description: Seven (7) paged deed of sale document between Samuel Smith, Rene Payne, George Smith, John Smith and Robert Lord Carrington for the sum of [nineteen thousand] one hundred and seventeen pounds, eleven shillings. The indenture document is sold by Moulton and Rushton of Chancery Lane, as indicated in the upper left corner of the front of the first page. The document is bordered in red lines. The top of the document in the upper left corner is stylized script [This indenture of three parts/Sold by/Moulton and Rushton,/Chancery Lane] Following the first line of stylized text is the start of the indenture [made the Twenty Eighth day of August in the/thirty eighth year of the Reign of our/Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of God of Great Britain Ffrance and Ireland King Defender of the ffaith and soforth and in the year of our Lord One/thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight Between Samuel Smith and/Rene Payne of the City of London (illegible) of the first part The said Samuel Smith and Rene Payne and their (illegible)/George Smith and John Smith of the City of London (illegible) of the second part and The Right Honorable Robert Lord/Carrington of the third part]. On the left side in the upper third are two (2) blue squares of paper with embossed seals. On the reverse of the first page in the upper left corner is the payment of the indenture received to Robert Lord Carrington for the sum of [nineteen thousand] (AA, 1/29/15) one hundred and seventeen pounds and eleven shillings. The payment is witnessed and signed. At the top in the middle is a note regarding the sealing and endorsing of the document. On the left side in the middle third, is a note regarding where the indenture was filed [Enrolled in the Office of Enrollments in Jamaica/May 25th 1799 Lib: 465 fol 187/(illegible)/(illegible signature]. In the middle of the center of the reverse of the document is a summary of the document contents and the date [Dated 20th of August 1798./Samuel Smith Esq./and others...../to/The Right (illegible)/Lord Carrington../Conveyance/of two thirds of the ffarm/plantation/Enrd 25th May 1799/(illegible)/6.. 15 71/2 . 6/ 6.. 18 . 17]. Included in the indenture is a schedule of property listed on the sixth and seventh pages. On the last page are five (5) wax seals and signatures along the bottom. The signatures include Samuel Smith, Rene Payne, George Smith, John Smith and Lord Carrington.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Business; Trans Atlantic slave trade

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

Object number: 2010.1.317a-g

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-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Handcuffs used in the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Created by: Hiatt & Co. Ltd., British, founded 1780
Subject of: Gates, Henry Louis Jr., American, born 1950

Medium: nickel
Dimensions: H x W: 2 3/4 x 8 1/2 x 3/4 in. (7 x 21.6 x 1.9 cm)

Type: handcuffs

Place made: England, Europe

Date: 20th Century

Description: Standard police-issued chain style handcuffs. The handcuffs are made of nickel and consist of two locking bracelets linked by a short chain. Embossed on the base of each bracelet is [HIATTS / MADE IN / ENGLAND]. Etched on the side of each bracelet is [CROWLEY].

Topic: African American; Justice; Politics (Practical); Race discrimination; Race relations

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Object number: 2010.11

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Tools and Equipment
Exhibition: A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 1, C1 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Slave whip owned by British abolitionist Charles James Fox

Created by: Unidentified
Owned by: Hon. Fox, Charles James, British, 1749 - 1806

Medium: hide and wood
Dimensions: H x W: 29 15/16 in. (76 cm)

Type: whips (slavery artifacts)

Place depicted: Caribbean
Place used: London, England, Europe

Date: late 18th century

Description: Braided hide whip with wooden handle. A small ring of hide has been put through a hole at the end of the handle, presumably for storing the whip by hanging.

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Slavery; Violence

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

Object number: 2010.21.1.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Tools and Equipment-Occupational

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Slave whip owned by British abolitionist Charles James Fox

Created by: Unidentified
Owned by: Hon. Fox, Charles James, British, 1749 - 1806

Medium: leather and hide
Dimensions: H x W: 35 13/16 in. (91 cm)

Type: whips (slavery artifacts)

Place depicted: Caribbean
Place used: London, England, Europe

Date: late 18th century

Description: Braided leather handle with single lash made from animal hide put through a hole on one end with a ring of hide for hanging through the other end.

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Slavery; Violence

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

Object number: 2010.21.1.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Tools and Equipment-Occupational
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

Slave whip owned by British abolitionist Charles James Fox

Created by: Unidentified
Owned by: Hon. Fox, Charles James, British, 1749 - 1806

Medium: hide and wood
Dimensions: H x W: 40 15/16 in. (104 cm)

Type: whips (slavery artifacts)

Place depicted: Caribbean
Place used: London, England, Europe

Date: late 18th century

Description: Wooden handle with hide lash and hide loop through opposite end for hanging storage

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Slavery; Violence

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

Object number: 2010.21.1.3

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Tools and Equipment-Occupational
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

Photographic print of Nina Simone and Dick Gregory

Photograph by: Ball, George
Subject of: Simone, Nina, American, 1933 - 2003; Gregory, Dick, American, 1932 - 2017

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (24.1 x 19.1 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Place depicted: London, England, Europe

Date: 1968

Description: A black and white photograph of Nina Simone and Dick Gregory in London, England. The back of the photograph has a stamp with the photographer's information and the date.

Topic: African American; Entertainers; Photography; Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Collection of Andy Stroud

Object number: 2011.152.2

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography
Exhibition: Represent: Hip Hop Photography
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Second Floor, 2 050

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Tambourine used on stage at Wembley Stadium during Prince's Nude Tour

Manufactured by: Unidentified
Subject of: Prince, American, 1958 - 2016

Medium: fiber, plastic, metal
Dimensions: Diameter (tambourine shell): 10 1/4 x 1 7/8 in. (26 x 4.8 cm); Diameter (shell with jingles): 11 in. (27.9 cm); 1 13/16 x 11 1/4 x 11 1/4 in. (4.6 x 28.6 x 28.6 cm)

Type: tambourines

Place used: Wembley, London, England, Europe

Date: 1990

Description: A tambourine used on-stage during "Baby I'm A Star" at one of seven Wembley Stadium performances during the 1990 Nude Tour. The tambourine has a black frame and head with gold tone rim and the Love symbol in gold painted on the head.

Topic: African American; Popular music

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

Object number: 2011.153.6

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments
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

The Song of Hiawatha Op.30

Published by: Novello & Company, British
Written by: Coleridge-Taylor, Samuel, British, 1875 - 1912

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W x D: 10 3/16 x 6 3/4 x 1/2 in. (25.9 x 17.1 x 1.3 cm)

Type: scores

Place depicted: London, England, Europe; New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1900

Description: Full score for the opera, "The Song of Hiawatha Op. 30", written by the Anglo-African composer, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. "The Song of Hiawatha Op. 30" is a trilogy of cantatas by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, produced between 1898 and 1900, which included "Hiawatha's Wedding Feast", "The Death of Minnehaha", and "Hiawatha's Departure". The first part, "Hiawatha's Wedding Feast", was particularly famous for many years and it made the composer's name known throughout the world.

Topic: African American; Opera (Music)

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

Object number: 2011.57.29.2

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

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

Poster advertising Fats Waller's performance at Empire Theatre at Finsbury Park

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Waller, Fats, American, 1904 - 1943

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 30 x 10 in. (76.2 x 25.4 cm)

Type: posters

Place depicted: London, England, Europe

Date: 1938

Description: A poster for an appearance of "Fats" Waller in London at the Empire Theatre at Finsbury Park, August 29th, 1938. The poster is extra-long printed in red and blue on off-white paper.

Topic: African American; Instrumentalists (Musicians); Jazz (Music)

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

Object number: 2011.57.41.1

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: 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

Playbill for Ira Aldridge in Othello and The Slave at the Theatre Royal

Published by: Theatre Royal, Newcastle, British, founded 1837
Subject of: Aldridge, Ira, American, 1807 - 1867

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 30 x 10 in. (76.2 x 25.4 cm)

Type: playbills

Place depicted: Theatre Royal, Newcastle, England, Europe

Date: 1857

Description: A large letterpress playbill for the Theatre Royal in Newcastle featuring the performances of the black Shakespearean actor, Ira Aldridge in "Othello" and "The Slave". Printed on very thin paper in black ink.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Drama (Theatre)

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

Object number: 2011.57.44

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: 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

Envelope addressed to Paula Baldwin from James Baldwin

Written by: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987
Received by: Whaley, Paula Baldwin, American

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: L x W: 8 3/4 x 4 in. (22.2 x 10.2 cm)

Type: envelopes

Place depicted: Dorset, England, Europe; 137 West 71st St., New York City, New York County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1966

Description: An envelope addressed to James Baldwin's sister, Paula Baldwin, postmarked in Dorset, England. There are three stamps in the upper-right corner; two advertising the 1966 World Cup and a third with an image of a blackbird.
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: 2011.99.15

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

Envelope addressed to James Baldwin from Alex Haley

Written by: Haley, Alex, American, 1921 - 1992
Received by: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: L x W: 8 3/4 x 4 in. (22.2 x 10.2 cm)

Type: envelopes

Place depicted: 36 Tedworth Square, London, England, Europe

Date: mid-20th century

Description: An undated Air Mail envelope from Alex Haley in France addressed to James Baldwin at his London residence in Tedworth Square.
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: 2011.99.16

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

Letter to David Baldwin from Alex Haley

Written by: Haley, Alex, American, 1921 - 1992
Received by: Baldwin, David, American

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 10 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (26.7 x 19.1 cm)

Type: letters (correspondence)

Place depicted: 13 Rue du Dr. M. Provencal, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe; 36 Tedworth Square Chelsea, London, England, Europe

Date: December 12, 1967

Description: A typewritten letter from Alex Haley to David Baldwin in which Haley explains how he left his tape recorder in a London airport and would like David to contact the Lost and Found Department and try to locate it.
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: 2011.99.30

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

Wage book for the slave trading ship Fox captained by Robert Mitchell

Written by: Captain Mitchell, Robert
Subject of: Davenport, William, English, 1725 - 1797

Medium: ink on paper, bast thread
Dimensions: Closed: 12 1/2 × 8 1/2 × 11/16 in. (31.8 × 21.6 × 1.7 cm); Open: 12 1/2 × 16 5/16 × 1 3/4 in. (31.8 × 41.4 × 4.4 cm)

Type: account books

Place used: Liverpool, Merseyside, England, Europe
Place depicted: Haiti, Caribbean, Latin America, North and Central America; Barbados, Caribbean, North and Central America; Jamaica, Caribbean, North and Central America; County Cork, Ireland, Europe; Cameroon, Africa

Date: 1774-1775

Caption: Fox’s Wages Book; This volume contains information regarding a voyage of the ship Fox, a 146 ton brigantine that left Liverpool on March 8, 1774. The ship stopped first in the Cameroons, West Africa, where 148 African people were enslaved and brought aboard. The ship then crossed the Atlantic Ocean westward, landing first in Dominica. Seventeen (17) of the enslaved people died during the Atlantic crossing. After likely making other landings in the Caribbean to sell enslaved people the ship returned to Liverpool, completing the trip on February 22, 1775. The wages book recorded wages and debts of the crew, desertions, and several deaths of crew members by drowning. There are also records of enslaved people who worked on the ship and were paid in clothing.; Source: Nancy Bercaw, Curator, Slavery and Freedom
Description: This bound volume contains information regarding Captain Robert Mitchell and his crew aboard the slave trading ship Fox. The covers are made from a brown paper and the text "Fox's Wages Book / Feb.y 1775 Capt Mitchell" is written on the front cover in black ink. The thirty-six (36) total interior pages have text pertaining to wages and debts of the crew, desertions of the crew, and several deaths of crew members by drowning, all written in black ink. There are also records of enslaved people who worked on the ship and were paid in clothing. Most pages have writing on the front and back sides, but there are some blank pages toward the back of the volume. The pages are bound together with bast fiber thread.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Finance; Health; Labor; Medicine; Trans Atlantic slave trade

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

Object number: 2012.5.1

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
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

Uneven bar grips used by Gabby Douglas in the 2012 London Olympics

Created by: Bailie Grips, American
Manufactured by: GRIPS, Etc.
Used by: Douglas, Gabby, American, born 1995

Medium: cloth, plastic, and Velcro (TM)
Dimensions: H x W x D (each grip): 8 1/8 x 4 x 2 5/16 in. (20.6 x 10.2 x 5.9 cm)

Type: handwear

Place used: 2012 Olympics, London, England, Europe

Date: 2012

Description: Two uneven bar grips used by Gabby Douglas in the 2012 London Olympics. The fronts of the grips have rounded straps and two (2) finger holes on each grip. These are for the ring finger and the middle finger. Grip b. has some cloth tape in between the two finger holes. Each grip has a cylindrical piece of cloth belowe the finger holes.; The bottoms of the grips have some extra material added to help support the wrists. Each grip has a grey wrist strap that can be adjusted through a piece of grey plastic. These straps attach to a piece of black Velcro.; There are several different markings on the grips. Each grip has the Bailie logo in black with a number [1] underneath it. These are under the cylindrical shapes. Grip b. has two (2) unidentifiable pink letters written on near the piece of black plastic. Grip a. has a black star drawn on near the velcro.; Grip b. has a manufacturer's label: [Grips Etc./214 Bart Conner Dr./Norman, OK 73072/405-447 2559/www.gripsetc.com].

Topic: African American; Gymnastics; Olympics

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

Object number: 2013.12.2.1ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Tools and Equipment-Sports and Recreational
Exhibition: Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 052

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Medical tape used by Gabby Douglas during 2012 Olympics

Manufactured by: Johnson & Johnson, American, founded 1886
Used by: Douglas, Gabby, American, born 1995

Medium: cotton (fiber), cardboard, and ink
Dimensions: H x W x D: 1 1/2 × 1 1/2 × 1 1/2 in. (3.8 × 3.8 × 3.8 cm); Diameter: 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)

Type: tapes (binding components)

Place used: 2012 Olympics, London, England, Europe

Date: 2012

Description: A roll of off white medical tape. The carboard tube in the center is white with the Johnson & Johnson logo repeated in red.

Topic: African American; Gymnastics; Olympics

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

Object number: 2013.12.2.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Tools and Equipment-Sports and Recreational
Exhibition: Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 052

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

American Sketches: A Negro Congregation at Washington

Published by: The Illustrated London News, British, 1845 - 2003
Subject of: Unidentified Man or Men; Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium: ink on paper, wood, glass
Dimensions: frame: 18 5/8 x 22 x 7/8 in. (47.3 x 55.9 x 2.2 cm); H x W (object in frame): 10 x 14 in. (25.4 x 35.6 cm)

Type: prints

Place printed: London, England, Europe
Place depicted: Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date: November 18, 1876

Description: A print captioned “American Sketches: A Negro Congregation at Washington.” The print has been hand colored. The image depicts a man behind an elevated pulpit. He is reading a book. Another man sits beside him on the pulpit. Men in women dressed formally are standing and sitting in front of them. A man on the left side of the image is standing and also holding a book. He appears to be singing. The caption appears underneath the image. The image is in a wooden frame.

Topic: African American; Emancipation; Local and regional; Reconstruction (United States History, 1865-1877); Religious groups

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

Object number: 2013.239.7

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

Pocketwatch inscribed to William Lloyd Garrison from George Thompson

Created by: Unidentified
Commissioned by: George Thompson, English, 1804 - 1878
Subject of: The Liberator, American, 1831 - 1865
Owned by: Garrison, George Thompson, American, 1836 - 1904; Garrison, William Lloyd, American, 1805 - 1879

Medium: gold, metal, glass, paint
Dimensions: H x W x D: 2 11/16 × 1 7/8 × 9/16 in. (6.8 × 4.8 × 1.4 cm)

Type: pocket watches

Place made: London, England, Europe
Place depicted: Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1850

Description: An inscribed gold pocket watch presented to William Lloyd Garrison. The watch has a half hunter case, with spring hinged glass cover over the dial and a hinged gold lid over the back, protecting the inscription and winding square. The dial is painted white with roman numerals and fleur de lis shaped watch hands. There is a smaller 60-second dial partly obscuring the "VI" of the larger dial. The two hinged covers open via a button on the crown and bow, positioned above the "XII" of the dial. The engraved inscription on the back of the watch is decorative and reads [Presented by / GEORGE THOMPSON, M.P. / on behalf of him / self and others / to / WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON, / intrepid and uncompromising / Friend of the Slave: / in commemoration of the / TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF / THE LIBERATOR / Boston / January 1st, 1851] in several text sizes and fonts. Production and identification marks are stamped and scratched on the inside of the back cover.

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Social reform; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Garrison Family in memory of George Thompson Garrison

Object number: 2014.115.6.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Tools and Equipment-Personal use
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

Theatre poster featuring Ira Aldridge performing in Lovers of Bourbon

Printed by: Theatre Royal, Halifax, British, 1789 - 1933
Subject of: Aldridge, Ira, American, 1807 - 1867

Medium: ink on newsprint
Dimensions: H x W: 19 3/4 × 9 15/16 in. (50.2 × 25.2 cm)

Type: posters

Place printed: Halifax, Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, Europe

Date: 1856

Description: Poster advertising the play "Lovers of Bourbon" featuring Ira Aldridge as the character Three Finger'd Jack. The poster is narrow and printed on thin paper. The text is black and in a variety of sizes and fonts. The poster lists other actors in the play, a synopsis, the theater location and prices of admission. The top third of the poster reads “LAST NIGHT / OF PERFORMING UNTIL THE FAIR. / THEATRE ROYAL / HALIFAX. / THE CELEBRATED / AFRICAN TRAGEDIAN / MR. / IRA ALDRIDGE! / AS FABIAN & THREE FINGER'D JACK / AND LAST NIGHT OF HIS PERFORMING IN HALIFAX.”
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Drama (Theatre)

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

Object number: 2014.151.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

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