Recorded by

The Last Poets, American, founded 1968

Owned by

El-Hadi, Suliaman, American, 1936 - 1995

Medium

plastic and tape

Dimensions

H x W x D: 2 9/16 × 4 × 1/2 in. (6.5 × 10.2 × 1.3 cm)

Type

audio cassettes

Place depicted

Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

April 29, 1978

Description

Black cassette tape with white and pink label. Handwritten information appears on both sides of cassette tape. Side 1 of cassette tape has handwritten information reading, [THE Last PoEts & M.P.C. At/AubuRn CoRRECtional Facility/#2/4-29-78]. Side 2 of cassette tape has handwritten information reading, [PoEts & M.P.C.].

Topic

African American

Hip hop (Music)

Prisons

Spoken word (Poetry)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Qaddafi El-Hadi in memory of Suliaman El-Hadi

Object number

2014.40.6

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Audio Recordings

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895

Brown, John, American, 1800 - 1859

Received by

Brown, Mary Ann, American, 1817 - 1884

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

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

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place made

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

Date

January 30, 1858

Description

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

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic

African American

Antislavery

Correspondence

Domestic life

Fatherhood

Government

Resistance

Slavery

Credit Line

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

Object number

2009.26.3

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Beardsley, Jefferson, American, 1833 - 1895

Subject of

Irvine, Julia Josephine, American, 1848 - 1930

Owned by

Howland, Emily, American, 1827 - 1929

Medium

albumen and silver on photographic paper on card mount

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 3 13/16 × 2 3/8 in. (9.7 × 6 cm)

H x W (Image and Mount): 4 3/16 × 2 1/2 in. (10.6 × 6.3 cm)

Type

cartes-de-visite

albumen prints

portraits

Place depicted

Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1875

Description

Carte-de-visite of Miss Julia J. Thomas shown in quarter portrait. Thomas is facing the camera, but her head is turned one quarter to her right and she looks off camera. Her naturally curly hair is loosely gathered behind her back. She wears a heavily embellished dark colored bodice with a white ruffled standing collar and a dark lace bow tied at the front of her neck. The bottom portion of the image is purposefully faded in the popular style of the time. There is a border printed in gold ink surrounding the outside edges of the card mount.

Handwritten in ink on the back of the photograph is the text, "Julia J. Thomas / First Scholar in Greek / at Cornell. / Graduate June 1875." Below the handwritten text is Beardsley's mark.

The photograph is housed in the album 2017.30. The album page has a triple-lined, gold border framing the print. Handwritten in graphite inside the bottom border of the printed frame of the album page is the text "Miss Julia J. Thomas". Handwritten in graphite at the lower left corner of the album page is the text "1st GREEK SCHOLAR IN GREEK / at CORNELL Grad. June 1875".

Topic

African American

Antislavery

Education

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture shared with the Library of Congress

Object number

2017.30.12

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Emily Howland Photograph Album

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Unidentified

Subject of

Hall, Maria Miller, American, 1831 - 1913

Owned by

Howland, Emily, American, 1827 - 1929

Medium

albumen and silver on photographic paper on card mount

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 3 9/16 × 2 1/8 in. (9 × 5.4 cm)

H x W (Image and Mount): 4 × 2 3/8 in. (10.1 × 6.1 cm)

Type

cartes-de-visite

albumen prints

portraits

Place depicted

Jamestown, Chautauqua County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1864

Description

Carte-de-visite of Maria Miller Woodhull Hall photographed in bust portrait. Her face is turned one quarter to her right and she looks off camera. She is wearing a black cap with ruffled or ribbon details on the back of her head and a plaid dress with a large oval brooch at her front neck. Hall's head is at the center of the print, with the background behind it fading at the edges in the popular style of the time. There is a double-lined border printed in gold ink surrounding the outside edges of the card mount.

Handwritten in graphite at the bottom of the photograph is the text "Mrs. Maj. Hall / 1864". Handwritten in ink on the back of the photograph "Mrs. W. C. J. Hall / Jamestown / N.Y."

The photograph is housed in the album 2017.30. The album page has a triple-lined, gold border framing the print. Handwritten on the page in the lower left corner in graphite is the text "JAMESTOWN NY".

Topic

African American

Antislavery

Photography

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line

Collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture shared with the Library of Congress

Object number

2017.30.3

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Emily Howland Photograph Album

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Subject of

Jolson, Al, American, died 1950

Composed by

Mitchell, Sidney D., American, 1888 - 1942

Gottler, Archie, American, 1896 - 1959

Meyer, George W., American, 1884 - 1959

Published by

M. Witmark & Sons, American, 1886 - 1929

Owned by

McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 11 7/8 × 1/16 in. (30.2 × 0.2 cm)

Type

sheet music

Place collected

Sugg McDonald House, Sonora, California, United States, North and Central America

Place printed

New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1930

Description

Sheet music for the song "Little Sunshine" from the film Big Boy starring Al Jolson. The front cover of sheet music features a large black and white photo of Al Jolson's face in blackface set against an orange background. Black type on top portion of the cover reads: [LITTLE SUNSHINE / WARNER BROS. PRESENT / AL JOLSON / IN / "BIG BOY"]. Type near bottom right corner of the cover reads: [WORDS & MUSIC BY / SIDNEY MITCHELL / ARCHIE GOTTLER / AND / GEO. W. MEYER]. Underneath, is the publisher’s information which reads: [M. WITMARK & SONS / NEW YORK / MADE IN U S A]. Type in bottom left corner reads: [TOMORROW / IS ANOTHER DAY / LITTLE / SUNSHINE / LIZA / LEE / HOORAY FOR / BABY AND ME / WITH BANJO, UKULELE / GUITAR & MANDOLA / ACCOMPANIMENT.]. [Vernon Mcd. / 404] is handwritten, in pencil, at the top of the cover. The interior of the front cover has an additional song in black ink. The interior of the sheet music contains three pages of sheet music, in black ink, for Big Boy. The back cover has a black and white photograph of Dorothy Mackaill and a few bars of music.

Topic

African American

Actors

Blackface

Minstrel (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number

2014.275.16

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

National Tubman, Harriet Shrine Committee

Subject of

Tubman, Harriet, American, 1822 - 1913

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 x 5 7/8 in. (22.9 x 14.9 cm)

Type

portraits

programs

Place depicted

Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

October 1955

Description

Program consisting of black ink on yellowed paper. At center, an image of Harriet Tubman. On back, the image of eight people displaying a Harriet Tubman quilt.

Topic

African American

Associations and institutions

Housing

Social reform

United States--History

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Charles L. Blockson

Object number

2009.50.4

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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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

Manufactured by

Adirondack Bats, Inc.

Used by

Mays, Willie Howard Jr., American, born 1931

Medium

white ash

Dimensions

H x W x D: 35 × 2 1/2 × 2 1/2 in. (88.9 × 6.4 × 6.4 cm)

Type

bats

Place made

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

Place used

Bloomington, Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, North and Central America

Date

1965

Description

An Adirondack model 302 M63 baseball bat used by Willie Mays in the 1965 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. The bat is made from white ash and has black writing on side. Black type near center of bat reads, [ADIRONDACK BATS, INC. / Northern / WhiteAsh / Adirondack / 302 / DOLGEVILLE, NEW YORK / MADE IN U.S.A. / Whip Action]. Type near end opposite of handle reads, [ADIRONDACK / Willie Mays / 1965 ALL STARS]. Etched into bottom of bat's handle is the model number [M63].

Topic

African American

Athletes

Baseball

Credit Line

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

Object number

2013.120.9

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

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

Created by

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, American, founded 1936

Printed by

Curt Teich & Company, 1898 - 1978

Subject of

Johnson, William Julius, American, 1899 - 1989

Signed by

Johnson, William Julius, American, 1899 - 1989

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 5 7/16 x 3 7/16 in. (13.8 x 8.7 cm)

Type

postcards

Place depicted

Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1975

Description

Postcard featuring a photograph of a brass plaque on a yellow background. Handwritten in blue ink at the top of the card is "Best Wishes Judy Johnson." The plaque has a depiction of Johnson in a baseball uniform. Under the portrait is the text, "WILLIAM JULIUS JOHNSON / "JUDY" / NEGRO LEAGUES 1923 - 1937." The back of the postcard is unused. Preprinted green text at the top reads: [National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum / Cooperstown, New York / plaque of / William Julius (Judy) Johnson / Elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame 1975 / Baseball Hall of Fame Committee on Negro Baseball Leagues] next to that text at the top is stamp box. Below the stamp box additional green text reads: [Post Card]. The back also publishing information and an inscription of the letter [N]. There are also two pieces of tape on the far right edge of the back of the postcard.

Topic

African American

Athletes

Baseball

Segregation

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Paxton and Rachel Baker

Object number

2012.172.21.1

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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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

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, American, founded 1936

Printed by

Curt Teich & Company, 1898 - 1978

Subject of

Paige, Satchel, American, 1906 - 1982

Signed by

Paige, Satchel, American, 1906 - 1982

Subject of

Cleveland Indians, American, founded 1894

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 5 7/16 x 3 7/16 in. (13.8 x 8.7 cm)

Type

postcards

Place depicted

Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1971

Description

Postcard featuring a photograph of a brass plaque on a yellow background. Handwritten in black ink in the top left corner is the signature "Satchel Paige." The plaque has a depiction of a Paige in a baseball uniform. Under the portrait is the text, "LEROY ROBERT PAIGE / 'SATCHEL'." Beneath that text are, a list of his league and team memberships, as well as a biography. The back of the postcard is unused. Preprinted green text at the top reads: [National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum / Cooperstown, New York / plaque of / Leroy R. Paige / Elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame 1971 / Baseball Hall of Fame Committee on Negro Baseball Leagues] next to that text at the top is stamp box. Below the stamp box additional green text reads: [Post Card]. There is also one piece of tape on the far right edge of the back of the postcard.

Topic

African American

Athletes

Baseball

Segregation

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Paxton and Rachel Baker

Object number

2012.172.21.2

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, American, founded 1936

Printed by

Curt Teich & Company, 1898 - 1978

Subject of

James "Cool Papa" Bell, American, 1903 - 1991

Signed by

James "Cool Papa" Bell, American, 1903 - 1991

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 5 7/16 x 3 7/16 in. (13.8 x 8.7 cm)

Type

postcards

Place depicted

Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1974

Description

Postcard featuring a photograph of a brass plaque on a yellow background. Handwritten in black ink at the top of the card is "James 'Cool Papa' Bell." The plaque has a depiction of Bell in a baseball uniform. Under the portrait is the text, "JAMES THOMAS BELL / "COOL PAPA" / NEGRO LEAGUES 1922 - 1950." The back of the postcard is unused. Preprinted green text at the top reads: [National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum / Cooperstown, New York / plaque of / James T. (Cool Papa) Bell / Elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame 1974 / Baseball Hall of Fame Committee on Negro Baseball Leagues] next to that text at the top is stamp box. Below the stamp box additional green text reads: [Post Card]. There are also two pieces of tape on the far right edge of the back of the postcard.

Topic

African American

Athletes

Baseball

Segregation

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Paxton and Rachel Baker

Object number

2012.172.21.3

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, American, founded 1936

Printed by

Curt Teich & Company, 1898 - 1978

Subject of

Leonard, Walter Fenner "Buck", American, 1907 - 1997

Homestead Grays, American, 1912 - 1950

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 5 7/16 x 3 7/16 in. (13.8 x 8.7 cm)

Type

postcards

Place depicted

Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1972

Description

Postcard featuring a photograph of a brass plaque on a yellow background. Handwritten in faded black ink at the top of the card is "Walter F. Buck Leonard." The plaque has a depiction of Leonard in a baseball uniform. Under the portrait is the text, "WALTER FENNER LEONARD / "BUCK" / NEGRO LEAGUES 1933 - 1950." The back of the postcard is unused. Preprinted green text at the top reads: [National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum / Cooperstown, New York / plaque of / Walter F. (Buck) Leonard / Elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame 1974 / Baseball Hall of Fame Committee on Negro Baseball Leagues] next to that text at the top is stamp box. Below the stamp box additional green text reads: [Post Card]. The back also publishing information and an inscription of the letter [N]. There are also two pieces of tape on the far right edge of the back of the postcard.

Topic

African American

Athletes

Baseball

Segregation

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Paxton and Rachel Baker

Object number

2012.172.21.4

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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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

Created by

Western Union, founded 1851

Eleanor Roosevelt, American, 1884 - 1962

Subject of

Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Baker, Bertram L., American, 1898 - 1985

Medium

ink on paper (fiber product)

Dimensions

H x W: 5 11/16 x 7 7/8 in. (14.4 x 20 cm)

Type

telegrams

Place depicted

Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York, United States, North and Central America

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

Date

July 30, 1951

Description

A telegram sent from Eleanor Roosevelt to Bertram Baker. It is stamped: [51 July 30 AM].

Topic

African American

Athletes

Communication

Tennis

Credit Line

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

Object number

2009.27.3.1

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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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

United States Military Academy, American, founded 1802

Subject of

10th Cavalry Regiment, American, founded 1866

Medium

ink on paper with thread

Dimensions

H x W: 7 x 5 1/4 in. (17.8 x 13.3 cm)

Type

programs

Place used

West Point, Orange County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1938

Description

A program from a 1938 Christmas banquet. The program has six pages and a yellow tassel. The front of the program reads [CHRISTMAS 1938] at the top and [Second Squadron - - Tenth Cavalry / West Point, New York] at the bottom. There is a silver embossed circle in the center, an image of a green olive branch, a red, white, and blue vertical triangle pennant with stars and stripes and an eagle on top, and a red, white and blue shield insignia with stars and stripes. There are some stains on the front cover. There is also an image of a buffalo with a banner that reads [READY AND FORWARD]. There is a braided yellow tassel on the proper right side of the program. It is yellow because it is the color of the cavalry.

The inside cover features a black and white photograph of Marion Carson, Major, 19th Cavalry. There is also a brief Christmas message from the major. On page three there is a menu and a line drawing of a bell and leaves.

On pages four and five there is a list of members of the Second Squadron, Tenth Cavalry. There is an image of a buffalo with a banner that reads [READY AND FORWARD]. The list of names continues on to page seven. The back of the program is blank.

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by Digital Volunteers

Topic

African American

Military

United States--History--1933-1945

United States--Social life and customs

Credit Line

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

Object number

2011.155.21

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

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

Pomegranate Communications, Inc., American

Photograph by

Cheney, William Haight

Subject of

Tubman, Harriet, American, 1822 - 1913

Davis, Nelson, American, died 1888

Davis, Gertie

Written by

Gaines, Sedalia

Received by

Mariline Northrup Wilkins

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 6 x 4 1/4 in. (15.2 x 10.8 cm)

Type

portraits

postcards

Place depicted

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1887; printed 1992

Description

A black-and-white postcard featuring a photograph of Harriet Tubman, her husband Nelson Davis, and their adopted daughter Gertie. Tubman stands on the left holding a round pan. The postcard was sent to Mariline Wilkins in Philadelphia, PA from Sedalia Gaines in 1992.

Topic

African American

Antislavery

Correspondence

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Charles L. Blockson

Object number

2009.50.13

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Media Arts-Photography

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Tarby Studios, American

Subject of

Tubman, Harriet, American, 1822 - 1913

Medium

albumen and silver on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 7/8 x 8 in. (25.1 x 20.3 cm)

Type

albumen prints

portraits

Place captured

Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1908; printed ca. 1920

Description

A large albumen print of Harriet Tubman by Tarby Studios in Auburn, NY. The image is enlarged from an older print.

Topic

African American

Freedom

Photography

Slavery

Social reform

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Charles L. Blockson

Object number

2009.50.2

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture