Photograph by

Barboza, Anthony, American, born 1944

Subject of

Unidentified Child or Children

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (sheet): 8 × 9 15/16 in. (20.3 × 25.3 cm)

H x W (image): 6 1/16 × 8 15/16 in. (15.4 × 22.7 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

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

Date

1974

Description

A black and white photograph of three boys wearing suits and hats standing in front of a wall with graffiti. Hand written at center on the back of the image is "Easter Sunday in Harlem" along with the date and the photographer's signature.

Topic

African American

Children

Fashion

Photography

United States--Social life and customs

Urban life

Credit Line

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

Object number

2016.99.10

Restrictions & Rights

© Anthony Barboza

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

Photograph by

Barboza, Anthony, American, born 1944

Subject of

Bowie, Lester, American, 1941 - 1999

Sweet Basil, American, 1974 - 2001

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (sheet): 14 × 11 in. (35.5 × 27.9 cm)

H x W (image): 8 × 12 7/16 in. (20.3 × 31.6 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

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

Date

1980s

Description

A black and white photograph of Lester Bowie at Sweet Basil, NYC. Bowie stands at the beginning of a hallway, next to a tuba. He wears a long white jacket over darker colored shirt, tie and pants. To the right of him, a board announces the scheduled performances, reading: [SWEET BASIL / THIS WEEK LESTER BOWIE BRASS FANTASY] at the top. On the back is an inscription with the title, date and photographer's signature and stamp.

Topic

African American

Composers (Musicians)

Instrumentalists (Musicians)

Jazz (Music)

Nightlife

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2016.99.25

Restrictions & Rights

© Anthony Barboza

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

Written by

Crockett, George W. Jr., American, 1909 - 1997

Published by

National Non-partisan Committee to Defend the Rights of the 12 Communist Leaders, American, founded 1949

Medium

ink on paper, metal

Dimensions

H x W x D: 8 3/8 × 5 1/2 × 1/16 in. (21.3 × 14 × 0.1 cm)

Type

pamphlets

Place printed

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

Date

1949

Description

Pamphlet of "Freedom is Everybody's Job!" by George Crockett. The pamphlet has a glossy cover sheet with the interior pages secured with two staples in the spine. There is a black and white image in the bottom left of the author wearing a suit and glasses on the front cover. The text on the front cover is printed inside a layered black border with the exception of the price of ten cents (10¢) in the lower right corner. The black text at the top reads [FREEDOM / IS / Everybody's Job!]. Below this text between two parallel black lines is [The Crime of the Government / Against the Negro People] in italics. [Summation in the Trials of / the 11 Communist leaders / BY / GEORGE / W. / CROCKETT, Jr.] is printed in smaller front in the lower right. The document is sixteen pages and contains "About the Author" and "Introduction" pages before the summation. The last page lists the officers of the "National / Non-Partisan Committee / TO DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF / THE 12 COMMUNIST LEADERS" and the back cover has information to order a copy of the pamphlet.

Topic

African American

Activism

Freedom

Government

Justice

Law

Political organizations

Politics (Practical)

United States--History--1945-1953

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Stokes/Washington Family

Object number

2017.14.1

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

Published by

National Non-partisan Committee to Defend the Rights of the 12 Communist Leaders, American, founded 1949

Written by

National Non-partisan Committee to Defend the Rights of the 12 Communist Leaders, American, founded 1949

Signed by

Fast, Howard Melvin, American, 1914 - 2003

Subject of

Crockett, George W. Jr., American, 1909 - 1997

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

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

Type

form letters

Place made

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

Date

1949-1950

Description

Form letter from the National Non-partisan Committee to Defend the Rights of the 12 Communist Leaders. The printed letter is on Committee letterhead and begins [Dear Friend: / We are proud to present "FREEDOM IS EVERYBODY'S JOBS," part of the summation of Attorney George W. Crockett, Jr., on of the defense counsel for the eleven American Communist leaders in the recent Foley Square political trial.] The letter discusses the merits of the summation as an [eloquent, sincere and powerful defense of the Negro people...].The letter asks for comments and orders for the ten cent pamphlet. The letter is signed by Howard Fast, Committee Treasurer, and has a list of Committee officers at the bottom. All text is printed in black. The reverse is blank and there are creases from the folded paper.

Topic

African American

Activism

Associations and institutions

Correspondence

Freedom

Justice

Law

Politics (Practical)

United States--History--1945-1953

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Stokes/Washington Family

Object number

2017.14.2

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

Photograph by

Orkin, Ruth, American, 1921 - 1985

Subject of

Unidentified Woman or Women

Unidentified Child or Children

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 18 7/8 × 12 13/16 in. (47.9 × 32.5 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 19 7/8 × 15 15/16 in. (50.5 × 40.5 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place depicted

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

Date

1947; printed after 1985

Description

A black and white photograph of a woman and her daughter sitting atop a suitcase in Penn Station, in New York City. The young girl is featured facing the camera with her eyes slightly closed and her head resting on her mother's shoulder. She is wearing a dress, dress shoes, and a bow in her hand. Her proper right leg is pulled up to her chest and she is holding a band across her proper right foot. Her proper left leg, hangs off the side of the suitcase. The mother has her back toward the camera and is sitting facing the back right of the photograph. She is wearing a dress and hat and looks off in the direction that she is facing. Other people and suitcases are partially visible in the background. The back of the photograph features a stamp from the Orkin/Engel Archive and contains, title, date, and copyright information.

Topic

African American

Children

Photography

Travel

Urban life

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Orkin/Engel Film and Photo Archive

Object number

2017.48.2

Restrictions & Rights

© Orkin/Engel Film and Photo Archive

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Orkin/Engel Film and Photo Archive Collection

Portfolio/Series

Penn Station Series

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Orkin, Ruth, American, 1921 - 1985

Subject of

Unidentified Child or Children

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 12 7/8 × 8 11/16 in. (32.7 × 22.1 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 14 × 10 7/8 in. (35.6 × 27.6 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place depicted

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

Date

1947; printed 2017

Description

A black and white photograph of a young three young boys at Penn Station in New York City. The photograph features one of the young boys standing towards the camera. He has his proper right hand on his hip and looks off to the right of the photograph. He is wearing a fedora, gingham shirt, tie, suspenders, dress pants, and dress shoes. The suspenders have a zig-zag pattern and the tie has a depiction of a cowboy riding a horse. Two other boys are seated on a suitcase behind the standing boy and to the left of the photograph. The second boy is seated facing the camera. He is wearing a similar outfit to the standing boy and has a book resting on his lap. A third boy is partially visible and is also seated on the suitcase. There are other people and suite cases in the background of the photograph. The back of the photograph features a stamp from the Orkin/Engel Archive and contains, title, date, and copyright information.

Topic

African American

Children

Clothing and dress

Photography

Travel

Urban life

Credit Line

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

Object number

2017.50.1

Restrictions & Rights

© Orkin/Engel Film and Photo Archive

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Orkin/Engel Film and Photo Archive Collection

Portfolio/Series

Penn Station Series

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Orkin, Ruth, American, 1921 - 1985

Subject of

Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 12 15/16 × 9 1/8 in. (32.9 × 23.2 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 14 × 11 7/8 in. (35.6 × 30.2 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place depicted

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

Date

1947; printed 2017

Description

A black and white photograph of an unidentified woman standing in Penn Station in New York City. She is featured wearing a hat, dress shirt, skirt, and open toed shoes. She stands facing the left of the photograph with her proper right arm extended outward at her hip and holding a cigarette. Her proper left arm is at her side and is holding a purse. A suitcase is on the ground in front of her. Unidentified people are visible in the background. The back of the photograph features a stamp from the Orkin/Engel Archive and contains, title, date, and copyright information.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Photography

Travel

Urban life

Credit Line

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

Object number

2017.50.2

Restrictions & Rights

© Orkin/Engel Film and Photo Archive

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Orkin/Engel Film and Photo Archive Collection

Portfolio/Series

Penn Station Series

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014

Created by

Grace Costumes Inc., American, founded 1961

Worn by

Taylor, Clarice, American, 1917 - 2011

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

Gown: synthetic fiber, satin, velvet, net, and metal

Petticoat: synthetic fiber

Jacket: synthetic fiber, satin, velvet, sequins, rhinestones, and metal

Type

ensembles (costume)

Place used

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

Date

1975

Description

This costume is comprised of three (3) pieces, a teal and blue gown, a petticoat, and a matching jacket worn by Clarice Taylor as Addaperle in "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway.

Topic

African American

Actors

Clothing and dress

Costume

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.10

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014

Worn by

Taylor, Clarice, American, 1917 - 2011

Created by

Grace Costumes Inc., American, founded 1961

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

synthetic fiber, satin, velvet, net, and metal

Dimensions

H x W x D (On form (a)): 62 1/4 × 27 1/2 × 24 in. (158.1 × 69.9 × 61 cm)

H x W x D (In box (a)): 60 × 22 3/4 × 8 1/2 in. (152.4 × 57.8 × 21.6 cm)

L x W x D (from center back bodice with train extended (a)): 71 in. (180.3 cm)

H x W x D (In box (b)): 32 × 22 × 8 in. (81.3 × 55.9 × 20.3 cm)

Waist (at widest point (b)): 34 in. (86.4 cm)

Type

gowns

Place used

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

Date

1975

Description

This teal and blue floor-length gown and purple petticoat are part of a costume worn by Clarice Taylor as Addaperle in "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway. The sleeveless gown (a) has a fitted bodice and a full skirt with a ruffled hem and short train, and is decorated in a patchwork style with pieces of blue, teal, green and purple fabrics. The petticoat (b) is made of a multi-layered purple synthetic taffeta.

The bodice of the gown is made of teal satin synthetic fiber lined with drill. The bodice is sleeveless, fitted, and has an open scoop neck. Two (2) patches of velvet, one dark blue and one dark teal, are hand-sewn to the center front of the bodice. The interior front of the bodice has five (5) pieces of boning tape sewn lengthwise from top to waist, but the boning has been removed from all but the two outermost tapes.

The skirt of the gown is floor-length and very full, lengthening in the back with a short train. Teal satin synthetic fiber is sewn in box pleats to the bodice at the waist. The skirt has several large patches of fabric machine-sewn in a random pattern to the teal ground using a zigzag stitch. The patches are of dark blue velvet, dark teal velvet, light green satin and medium green satin. Some of the light green patches are sewn so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing out. Additionally, there are four (4) "envelopes" attached to the skirt, which are white satin rectangles with flaps trimmed in blue ribbon to look like mailing envelopes. The envelopes are only attached along the bottom and the sides, leaving the top open as a pocket. Two envelopes have Velcro closures, making them function as additional pockets. There are three (3) white gloves sewn to the skirt at the wrists and fingertips, each of which is stuffed with foam. A flounce made of medium teal synthetic fiber, trimmed at the top edge with purple velvet and at the bottom edge with purple grosgrain ribbon, is sewn along the bottom of the skirt. The skirt is not lined, but there is a net underskirt with a ruffled hem doubled over and attached across the back interior of the skirt. The interior waistband of the skirt is made of a white grosgrain ribbon that closes at the center back with a hook on the proper right back and two eyes for adjustable fit on the proper left back. A silver zipper begins below the waist of the center back skirt and ends at the top of the bodice neck. A hook-and-eye closure is sewn above the zipper at the center back neck.

The petticoat (b) is made of a multi-layered purple synthetic taffeta. Like the gown, it is shorter in front. Two tiers of ruffles are sewn at the hemline, each edged in synthetic net stiffener. The waistband is adjustable with hook and eye fasteners, including six (6) eyes ranging from 29 - 34" waist. As an alteration, one (1) additional eye was sewn onto the waistband at 25".

Topic

African American

Actors

Clothing and dress

Costume

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.10.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014

Created by

Grace Costumes Inc., American, founded 1961

Worn by

Edmead, Wendy, American, born 1956

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

chiffon, crepe, muslin, passementerie, metal, and elastic

Dimensions

H x W x D (In box): 59 × 22 1/2 × 2 3/4 in. (149.9 × 57.2 × 7 cm)

H x W x D (On form): 61 × 28 × 15 1/2 in. (154.9 × 71.1 × 39.4 cm)

Type

jump suits

Place used

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

Date

1975

Description

This jumpsuit is part of a costume worn by Wendy Edmead as a Quadling in "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wonderful Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway. The jumpsuit is made from a diaphanous, coral-colored synthetic fabric. The bodice of the jumpsuit and its lower section attach only at the center front, leaving exposed the sides of the wearer's stomach and lower back.

The bodice of the jumpsuit is made of a coral crepe synthetic fiber that is covered in pleated coral chiffon synthetic fiber. The full length sleeves are made of the same coral chiffon fabric, which has been ironed into an accordian pleat and cut in a flared trumpet shape. Elastic loops are attached to the wrist area of each sleeve. The bodice is lined in plain muslin, and closes at the center back with a zipper and a hook-and-eye closure at the neck.

On the lower section of the jumpsuit, coral chiffon synthetic fiber attaches at the waist and reaches to the ankles to form wide-legged, accordian-pleated pants. There is a bikini bottom attached to the waistband. The bikini bottom is a coral crepe synthetic fiber on the recto, lined in plain muslin on the verso, and has an open crotch. This lower section of the jumpsuit closes at the center back with a zipper and a hook-and-eye closure at the waist. A length of coral tape is sewn in a loop at the interior proper left and proper right sides.

Coral passementerie is sewn to the bottom edge of the bodice, forming an x at the center front attachment, and continuing along the top edge of the pants. Two (2) metal discs, each stamped with a head in profile and surrounded by a circle of five-pointed stars, are sewn to the top and bottom of the x and at the center front attachment. Coral tasseled fringe is sewn along the collar line of the bodice and at the hip line of the lower section of the jumpsuit, below the passementerie decoration. Stamped metal discs are sewn all along the fringe at the collar and the hip.

Topic

African American

Actors

Clothing and dress

Costume

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.12

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014

Worn by

Mills, Stephanie, American, born 1957

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

cotton, lace, ribbon, plastic, elastic, and metal

Dimensions

H x W x D (On form (ab)): 32 1/2 × 20 × 18 3/4 in. (82.6 × 50.8 × 47.6 cm)

H x W x D (Flat (b)): 1 5/8 × 10 1/2 × 9 1/2 in. (4.1 × 26.7 × 24.1 cm)

Type

dresses

belts (costume accessories)

Place used

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

Date

1975

Description

This dress and belt were worn by Stephanie Mills as Dorothy in "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wonderful Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway. The short-sleeved off-white cotton dress (a) falls just above the knee and has a circle skirt with a flounce. The v-neck bodice has bust darts and ends at the natural waistline. The neck opening is outlined with decorative, machine-made, off-white lace that has a central ladder design bordered by flowers. Two (2) rows of this lace continue down the center-front of the bodice to the waist. Red grosgrain ribbon is woven into the middle of the lace. The full, pouf sleeves are elbow-length and have thin elastic strips sewn inside the hem, creating gathered cuffs. Each cuff is bordered with machine-made, off-white lace that has a design of large circles bordered by smaller circles, through which red grosgrain ribbon has been woven. Lace flounces with a floral design are sewn into the hem of each cuff and hang 2 3/4 inches below the sleeve.

The skirt is heavily gathered at the waist, creating a very full skirt. A 5 1/2-inch flounce with box pleats is sewn around the hem. Above this flounce is a strip of the same lace as on the bodice, also with red grosgrain ribbon woven through the center of the lace. Above the decorative lace and ribbon are two pin tucks. The dress closes at the center back with five (5) off-white plastic buttons. The bottom button is different than the others, and may be a replacement. A single hook-and-eye closure is placed at the interior center back waistline. The back of the skirt is open with no apparent closure method.

The belt (b) is made of a shiny red plastic, and has a square metal buckle faced in the red plastic.

Topic

African American

Actors

Clothing and dress

Costume

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.6ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

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

Designed by

Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014

Created by

Nihda, Fred, 1931 - 1997

Worn by

Haynes, Tiger, American, 1914 - 1994

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

Canvas, wool knit, reinforced plastic, metal, leather, nylon, felt, synthetic fiber, paint, steel wool, plastic foam, Velcro™, cord, tape, and glue

Dimensions

H x W x D: 76 × 29 1/2 × 12 1/4 in. (193 × 74.9 × 31.1 cm)

Type

ensembles (costume)

Place used

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

Date

1975

Description

This costume was worn by Tiger Haynes as Tin Man in "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway. It consists of a headpiece (.1.1), cuirass (.1.2), left arm and right arm armor and arm harness (.1.3abc), left leg armor (.1.4), right leg armor (.1.5), shoes (.2ab), union suit (.3), and prop oil can (.4).

Topic

African American

Actors

Clothing and dress

Costume

Men

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.7

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014

Created by

Nihda, Fred, 1931 - 1997

Used by

Haynes, Tiger, American, 1914 - 1994

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

metal

Dimensions

H x W x D: 12 1/2 × 3 3/4 × 2 in. (31.8 × 9.5 × 5.1 cm)

Type

güiros

Place used

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

Date

1975

Description

This oil can güira prop is part of a costume used by Tiger Haynes as Tin Man in "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway. It is a cylindrical tube of sheet metal with cone-shaped pieces soldered onto each long end. A rectangular hammered metal handle is nailed lengthwise to the join of the cylinder with nails. The bottom third of the cylinder has a series of hammered raised dots. When used as a percussive instrument, called a güira, these dots are scraped using a comb-like metal device to create sound.

Topic

African American

Actors

Clothing and dress

Costume

Men

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.7.4

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Musical Instruments

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

Designed by

Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014

Created by

Grace Costumes Inc., American, founded 1961

Worn by

De Shields, André, American, born 1946

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

Jumpsuit (.1): synthetic fiber, rhinestones, and Velcro™

Cape (.2): synthetic fiber, fur, sequins, and rhinestones

Headpiece (.3): synthetic fiber, batting, rhinestones, and Velcro™

Boots (.4): leather, wood, paint, and metal

Type

ensembles (costume)

Place used

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

Date

1975

Description

This costume is comprised of four (4) pieces, a jumpsuit (.1), a cape (.2), a headpiece (.3), and a pair of boots (.4ab) worn by André De Shields as The Wizard in "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wonderful Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway.

Topic

African American

Actors

Clothing and dress

Costume

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.8

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014

Created by

Grace Costumes Inc., American, founded 1961

Worn by

Hall, Carl, American, died 1999

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

leather, wood, paint, and metal

Dimensions

H x W x D (left (a)): 10 1/2 × 3 1/2 × 11 in. (26.7 × 8.9 × 27.9 cm)

H x W x D (right (b)): 10 1/2 × 3 1/2 × 11 in. (26.7 × 8.9 × 27.9 cm)

Type

boots

Place used

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

Date

ca. 1977

Description

This pair of white ankle-length platform boots are part of a costume worn by Carl Hall as the Wizard in the 1984 revival of "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wonderful Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway. The boots are made from leather that is painted white. They have a rounded toe and a decorative seam along the top of the toe box that extends up the front of the ankle. The boots close at the inner side of each ankle with a metal zipper that has a long shoe string knotted as a pull tab. The wooden platforms are also painted white, with the foot platform measuring 1 1/2 inches and the heel platform measuring 3 inches. Black rubber non-skid soles are adhered to the bottoms of each platform. The word "Wiz" is handwritten in black ink on the bottom of the rubber sole of the foot on both boots. "Hall" is handwritten in purple ink on the arch of the sole of both boots.

Topic

African American

Actors

Clothing and dress

Costume

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.8.4ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Holder, Geoffrey, Trinidadian American, 1930 - 2014

Created by

Grace Costumes Inc., American, founded 1961

Worn by

King, Mabel, American, 1932 - 1999

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

synthetic fiber, taffeta, velvet, net, cotton, yarn, plastic, passementerie, rhinestones, wire, feathers, metal, and elastic

Dimensions

H x W x D (On form (ab)): 66 × 41 × 51 in. (167.6 × 104.1 × 129.5 cm)

H x W x D (On form (b)): 45 × 33 × 33 in. (114.3 × 83.8 × 83.8 cm)

Type

petticoats

gowns

Place used

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

Date

1975

Description

This gown and petticoat are part of a costume worn by Mabel King as Evillene in "The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical 'Wizard of Oz'" on Broadway. The floor-length gown (a) is made from a black synthetic fiber and has a bejeweled open-neck bodice, puffed sleeves, decorative eyes covering the bosom, and a very full skirt with a purple and deep rose ruffled trim and a slight train. The petticoat (b) is made of a multi-layered black synthetic taffeta.

The bodice of the dress has a sweetheart neckline, with two (2) thick shoulder straps edged with black velvet. A triangular panel of brown net is attached at the center front bodice, wrapping around the neck to the proper back. This net is decorated with red and black rhinestones, black tape with beaded fringe, gold beaded paillettes, and a single black beaded bobble at the center front. Affixed to the front of the bodice are two (2) large eyes with eyelids and eyelashes. The eyes are made of clear hard plastic, lined with undyed muslin. At the center of each eye, between the muslin and the plastic, a black plastic disk is attached depicting the pupil, and a red rhinestone is sewn to the inside corner of each eye, depicting the tear duct. The bottoms of the eyes are edged with black velvet ribbon. The eyelids are made of black spandex, edged with black plastic eyelashes. Fishing line is attached at the center bottom of each eyelid and strung throught the velvet eyeball edging and under the dress's black velvet waistband. Below the waistband are short lengths black nylon braid with pom-poms attached at the end; when these pom-poms are pulled, the eyelids close partially over the eyeballs.

Each sleeve is made of multiple layers of black tulle gathered into a large puff and ending at the elbow. The sleeves are attached to the bodice at the front and back underarm, left open to reveal the shoulders. The sleeves are attached with elastic black cord at the top of each shoulder. Two black yarn pom-poms attach to each sleeve at the top of the shoulder. Between the pom-poms on the proper right sleeve are two brown and black marbled feather quills, which have the appearance of once having been longer plumes that broke off.

The waist of the dress has a wide band of black velvet, which closes over the center back zipper using snaps and hook-and-eyes. The skirt is made of several panels of black synthetic fiber. Black velvet ribbon is stitched over the seams of the panels on the exterior of the skirt. Two wide ruffled panels are sewn around the hem of the skirt. The top ruffle is made of a purple synthetic fabric with a metallic sheen, and the bottom ruffle is made of a rose synthetic taffeta. Synthetic net stiffener is sewn to the top and bottom edges of both ruffles. Black yarn pom-poms are attached around the black portion of the skirt at regular intervals, increasing in size from the waist to the hem.

The entire interior of the bodice is lined with cream drill, and boning tape is sewn at regular intervals. A pocket of black synthetic fabric is sewn in the center front interior and over the interior proper left breast to hold the wearer's microphone. The interior waist has a length of black grograin ribbon that attaches at the center back with a single hook-and-eye. The skirt is not lined, but there is a net underskirt with a ruffled hem doubled over and attached across the back interior of the skirt.

The petticoat (b) is made of a multi-layered black synthetic taffeta. Like the gown, it is shorter in front. Two tiers of ruffles are sewn at the hemline, each edged in synthetic net stiffener. The waistband of the petticoat attaches with hook-and-eyes. There are five (5) eyes on the exterior back left waist, one (1) eye on the exterior right side waist, and three (3) hooks on the interior back right waist for an adjustable fit. Two lengths of black twill tape are sewn as loops at each side.

Topic

African American

Actors

Clothing and dress

Costume

Musical Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.9ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Schwartz, Joe, American, 1913 - 2013

Subject of

Unidentified Man or Men

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 11 1/8 x 14 in. (28.3 x 35.6 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place depicted

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

Date

1930s

Caption

Feeding Time - Not Without Coca-Cola, Manhattan, New York, 1930's

Joe Schwartz, Folk Photography: Poems I've Never Written (2000), 174.

Description

A black-and-white photograph of an African American man attending to a horse hitched to a wagon.

Topic

African American

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Joe Schwartz and Family

Object number

2010.74.135

Restrictions & Rights

© Joe Schwartz

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