NMAAHC Collections Search

Overcoming Barriers in Education

Written by: Dr. Jackson, Ida Louise, American, 1902 - 1996
Published by: University of California, Berkeley, American, founded 1868
Subject of: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, founded 1908

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: 11 1/4 x 8 1/4 x 7/8 in. (28.6 x 21 x 2.2 cm)

Type: books

Place printed: Berkeley, Alameda County, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1984-1985; published 1990

Description: A hardcover book titled "Overcoming Barriers in Education" written by Dr. Ida Louise Jackson. The cover is blue with gold lettering along the spine. The first page of the book is signed and dated by the author.

Topic: African American; Education; Sororities; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Historical Society of Washington, DC and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Object number: 2013.133.3.31

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Story of Little Black Sambo

Written by: Bannerman, Helen, Scottish, 1862 - 1946
Published by: J. B. Lippincott & Co., American, 1836 - 1978

Medium: ink on paper with cardboard and cloth
Dimensions: 5 11/16 x 4 3/8 x 1/2 in. (14.4 x 11.1 x 1.3 cm)

Type: children's books

Date: 1951

Description: A hardcover copy of "The Story of Little Black Sambo" by Helen Bannerman. The book tells the story of a little boy in India who loses his fine new clothes to the tigers. The book has a red cloth binding and features a black ink image of a tiger carrying an umbrella with its tail in the center. The black text on the cover reads [THE STORY OF / LITTLE BLACK SAMBO / BY / HELEN BANNERMAN]. A paper dust jacket covers the book. The front of the jacket is light blue. In the center is a color illustration of a caricature of a boy, “Little Black Sambo,” walking on grass. He is wearing a red jacket, blue shorts, and blue shoes. He is holding a green umbrella with a yellow handly in his proper right hand. Black text at the top of the dust jacket reads [THE ONLY AUTHORIZED AMERICAN EDITION / THE STORY OF / LITTLE BLACK SAMBO]. Below the image is the black text [BY / HELEN BANNERMAN]. The back of the jacket is white, with a review of the book by May Lamberton Becker printed in black and red. The book pages are white with black text and color illustrations. On the title page, the book is identified as [ISBN-0-397-30006-9 Tr. Ed.]. The book is fifty-six (56) pages and includes illustrations and a title page.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Children; Stereotypes

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer

Object number: 2007.7.380

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Little Black Sambo

Written by: Bannerman, Helen, Scottish, 1862 - 1946
Published by: E.P. Dutton, American, founded 1852
Printed by: Duenewald Printing Corporation, American
Illustrated by: Wehr, Julian, American

Medium: ink , paper and plastic
Dimensions: 8 11/16 x 6 3/4 x 1/2 in. (22.1 x 17.1 x 1.3 cm)

Type: movable books

Date: 1943

Description: A hardcover, first edition version of Helen Bannerman's "Little Black Sambo" with movable paper illustrations created by Julian Wehr. The book tells the story of a little boy in India who loses his fine new clothes to the tigers. The front cover has a yellow background and blue border with wavy edges. It features an illustration of the titular character, “Little Black Sambo,” seated in front of a bush. He is wearing a red jacket, white shirt, blue pants, and dark purple and red shoes. In his proper left hand, he holds a closed green and white umbrella with an orange handle. The heads and tails of four (4) tigers with orange with black stripes, are crouched behind the bush. Black, red, and blue text reads [LITTLE BLACK / SAMBO / ANIMATED! ANIMATED! / BY HELEN BANNERMAN / ANIMATIONS BY JULIAN WEHR]. The book has a red plastic spiral binding. The book features seven (7) color illustrations with movable paper parts that are operated manually with tabs. The title page features a color illustration of “Little Black Sambo” sleeping on the grass, under a palm tree and has black printed text [LITTLE BLACK SAMBO / By / HELEN BANNERMAN / E.P. DUTTON & CO, INC. • NEW YORK]. Inscribed in black ink across the top of the title page [Eleanor Hubbard from Uncle Herman & Marie / 1943] and inscribed in pencil below is [$60.00]. The black printed text on the verso of the title page reads [COPYRIGHT, 1943 BY / DUENEWALD PRINTING CORP., NEW YORK / PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. / Created and produced by the / Duenewald Printing Corporation / New York, N.Y. / Sole agents for Wehr animation / Patent No. 219763]. The book is twenty-four (24) pages and includes illustrations and a title page.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Children; Stereotypes

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer

Object number: 2007.7.382

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Golliwogg's "Auto-Go-Cart"

Written by: Upton, Bertha, English
Published by: Longmans, Green & Company, British, 1880 - 1926
Illustrated by: Upton, Florence Kate, American, 1873 - 1922

Medium: paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: 8 1/2 x 11 x 1/2 in. (21.6 x 27.9 x 1.3 cm)

Type: children's books

Date: 1901

Description: A hardcover, first edition of the children's book “The Golliwogg's ‘Auto-Go-Cart’” with illustrations by Florence K. Upton and verses by Bertha Upton. The book tells the story of “Golliwogg” and his dutch peg doll friends Peggy, Weg, Meg, Sarah Jane and Midget adventure with a go-kart. The front cover features an illustration of "Golliwogg" driving a go-kart while two dutch peg doll friends stand in the back. "Golliwogg" is wearing a black jacket, white shirt, red bow tie and red pants. He has wide round eyes and large, wide red lips. The peg dolls on the left is depicted wearing a blue star spangled dress and is blowing a trumpet. The other peg doll is wearing a red and white striped dress. The go-kart is illustrated in three quarters view as a wooden box with two red lined benches, two candles at the front, a round steering wheel, and round wheels. The black and green text on cover reads [THE GOLLIWOGG'S / "AUTO-GO- / CART" / BY / Florence K. Upton / VERSES BY Bertha Upton /LONGMANS, GREEN & CO., NEW YORK, LONDON & BOMBAY]. Spine of book is a green cloth binding. Title page has handwritten inscription that reads [To Cynthia / from Uncle David / Xmas 1901]. The back cover is plain white.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Children; Stereotypes

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer

Object number: 2007.7.384

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Negro in Business

Written by: Washington, Booker T., American, 1856 - 1915
Published by: Hertel, Jenkins & Co., American

Medium: book paper
Dimensions: H x W x D: 8 x 5 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. (20.3 x 14.6 x 3.8 cm)

Type: hardcover books

Place printed: Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1907

Description: Hardcover book titled "The Negro in Business" written by Booker T. Washington. The cover is maroon with white lettering.

Topic: African American; Business; Literature

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

Object number: 2008.5.1

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works; Library Collections
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Proof copy of the first printing of The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

Created by: United States Congress, American, founded 1789
Printed by: Ritchie, Thomas, American, 1778 - 1854

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 9 3/4 x 7 11/16 in. (24.8 x 19.5 cm)

Type: laws

Date: 1850

Description: Proof copy of the first printing of The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 consisting of a single leaf folded sheet to form four pages, quarto, on U.S. Government-issued blue stock printed in black ink. There are two annotations handwritten in black ink -correcting "B it enacted" to "Be it enacted," and "courts of United States" to "courts of the United States."

Topic: African American; Law; Slavery; United States--History--1815-1861

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

Object number: 2009.14.4

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-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

P.H. Polk Photographs

Created by: Polk, P. H., American, 1898 - 1984
Published by: Nexus Press, American, 1973 - 2003

Medium: Artist's book in cloth case
Dimensions: H x W: 13 x 12 1/4 x 15/16 in. (33 x 31.1 x 2.4 cm)

Type: artists' books

Date: 1980

Description: One-hundred twelve (112) page art book containing sixty-two photographs, essay by Pearl Cleage Lomax, and colophon.

Topic: African American; Art; Literature; Photography

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Delano A. Willis

Object number: 2009.30.4

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series: 286/1200
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Gospel Hymns No. 2

Personal hymnal of Harriet Tubman

Composed by: Bliss, Philip Paul; Sankey, Ira D.
Owned by: Tubman, Harriet, American, 1822 - 1913

Medium: ink on paper, cardboard
Dimensions: H x W x D: 8 3/16 x 5 3/8 x 9/16 in. (20.8 x 13.7 x 1.4 cm)

Type: books

Date: 1876

Caption: Gospel Hymns No. 2, by P. P. Bliss and Ira D. Sankey, Harriet Tubman’s personal book of hymns.
Description: Book of hymns by P.P. Bliss and Ira D. Sankey, 112-pages, discolored cover with black printing, text and binding. Text reads "Gospel hymns No. 2, BY PP. BLISS AND IRA D. SANKEY AS USED BY THEM IN GOSPEL MEETINGS."

Topic: African American; Emancipation; Gospel (Music); Religion; Slavery; United States--History--1865-1921

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

Object number: 2009.50.25

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-Published Works
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

American Anti-Slavery Almanac Vol. II, No. I

Published by: Benedict, S. W., American
Subject of: American Anti-Slavery Society, American, 1833 - 1870

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 7 3/8 x 4 5/8 in. (18.7 x 11.7 cm)

Type: almanacs

Place printed: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1842

Description: American Anti-Slavery Almanac for 1842 published by S. W. Benedict. The almanac is printed on off white paper in black ink. Printed below the title is “CALCULATED FOR THE HORIZON AND MERIDIAN OF BOSTON, NEW YORK, / BALTIMORE, AND CHARLESTON: AND FOR USE IN / EVERY PART OF THE COUNTRY.” An engraved image is at center. The image portrays a Caucasian woman holding a book up in her left hand. A burst of light is behind her. Men, women and children are around her watching. A ship and a building being constructed are in the background. The interior pages feature astronomical information, calendars and weather forecasts. Printed on the back is an article titled Principles of Christian Fellowship and a short parable titled What has become of that Leather?

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Communication; Literature

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

Object number: 2010.1.12

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-Published Works
Exhibition: Making a Way Out of No Way
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 050

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Color

Written by: Cullen, Countee, American, 1903 - 1946
Published by: Harper & Brothers, American, 1817 - 1962

Medium: ink on book paper
Dimensions: H x W: 7 5/8 x 5 3/8 x 3/4 in. (19.4 x 13.7 x 1.9 cm)

Type: books

Date: 1925

Description: A hardcover book titled Color, written by Countee Cullen. The cover is off white and black. The image on the front depicts a man wearing a headdress with his arms extended above his head. He appears to be holding fire.

Topic: African American; Art; Identity; Poetry; Race relations

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

Object number: 2010.1.277

Restrictions & Rights: © 1925, by Harper & Brothers. Permission required for use.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works
Exhibition: Cultural Expressions
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 050

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Anti-Slavery Standard Vol. XX No. 19

Published by: American Anti-Slavery Society, American, 1833 - 1870

Medium: ink on newsprint
Dimensions: H x W: 26 x 18 3/4 in. (66 x 47.6 cm)

Type: newspapers

Date: September 24, 1859

Description: National Anti-Slavery Standard, Vol. XX, No. 19, September 24, 1859. Official weekly newspaper of the American Anti-Slavery Society headquartered in New York.

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Journalism; Mass media; United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

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

Object number: 2010.1.298.34

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-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Negro a Beast, or, In the Image of God?

Written by: Prof. Carroll, Charles, American
Published by: American Book and Bible House

Medium: paper (fiber product) with cardboard and cloth
Dimensions: H x W: 8 1/2 × 6 × 1 5/16 in. (21.6 × 15.2 × 3.3 cm)

Type: books

Place printed: Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1900

Description: A hardcover paper book titled: [The Negro A Beast or In The Image of God]. The book's cover is red with black writing for the title and a caricatured depiction of an African American. The interior pages, 382 in total, consist of off-white paper and black type.

Topic: African American; Race discrimination; Segregation; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2010.13

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Story of the Jubilee Singers: With Their Songs

Written by: Marsh, J. B. T., American, 1840 - 1887
Subject of: Fisk Jubilee Singers, American, founded 1871

Medium: ink on paper with cardboard
Dimensions: H x W x D: 7 5/8 x 5 1/8 x 1 3/16 in. (19.4 x 13 x 3 cm)

Type: hardcover books

Place depicted: Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1883

Description: A hardcover book titled “The Story of the Jubilee Singers: With Their Songs” written by J. B. T. Marsh. The cover is blue with black text. A black floral pattern is on the bottom half of the cover. A gold depiction of Jubilee Hall at Fisk University is at center.

Topic: African American; Education; Folk (Music); Reconstruction (United States History, 1865-1877); Singers (Musicians); Spirituals (Music); United States--History--1865-1921

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

Object number: 2010.34.1

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Song: I Want a Witness

Written by: Harper, Michael S., American, born 1938
Published by: University of Pittsburgh Press, American, founded 1936

Medium: cardboard , ink on book paper
Dimensions: 8 1/4 x 5 3/4 x 1/2 in. (21 x 14.6 x 1.3 cm)

Type: hardcover books

Date: 1972

Description: A hardcover book with printed paper bookjacket. The top half of the cover has red and black print on a cream-colored background. In the middle-right section of the cover, the face of a black man appears as a red moon against a brown sky. Below, a stand of black trees on a hill appear to be swaying in the wind. The title page is inscribed and signed by the author.

Topic: African American; Literature; Race relations; Religious groups; United States--History

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

Object number: 2010.42.1

Restrictions & Rights: © Michael S. Harper/ University of Pittsburgh Press. Permission required for use.

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Quicksand

Written by: Larsen, Nella, American, 1891 - 1964
Published by: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., American, founded 1915

Medium: cardboard , ink on book paper
Dimensions: 7 5/8 x 5 1/4 x 1 3/8 in. (19.4 x 13.3 x 3.5 cm)

Type: hardcover books

Date: 1928

Description: A harcover book with orange cloth cover with black print and bordering. The edges of the book are worn and dirty, as is the binding.

Topic: African American; Identity; Literature; Race relations; Sexuality

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

Object number: 2010.42.2

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde

Written by: Lorde, Audre, American, 1934 - 1992
Published by: Crossing Press, American, founded 1963

Medium: ink on book paper
Dimensions: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 1/2 in. (21.6 x 14 x 1.3 cm)

Type: portraits; paperbacks

Date: 1984

Description: Hardback book with black and bronze-colored print on a blue cover. At bottom left is a black-and-white photograph of Audre Lorde.

Topic: African American; Education; Literature; Social reform; Women

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

Object number: 2010.42.5

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Native Son

Written by: Wright, Richard, American, 1908 - 1960
Published by: Harper & Brothers, American, 1817 - 1962
Owned by: O'Hara, John, American, 1905 - 1970

Medium: cardboard , ink on book paper
Dimensions: 8 1/4 x 5 3/4 x 1 1/2 in. (21 x 14.6 x 3.8 cm)

Type: hardcover books

Date: 1940

Description: At hardcover book with a dust jacket. The jacket has a green background with black print on it. At center right, a yellow and white text box with black and green print gives the title and author.

Topic: African American; Identity; Law; Literature; Men; Race relations; Resistance; Stereotypes; United States--History--1933-1945

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

Object number: 2010.42.6

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Lyrics of Love and Laughter

Written by: Dunbar, Paul Laurence, American, 1872 - 1906
Published by: Dodd, Mead and Company, American, 1839 - 1990

Medium: cardboard , ink on book paper
Dimensions: 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 3/4 in. (16.5 x 11.4 x 1.9 cm)

Type: hardcover books

Date: 1903

Description: A hardcover, olive green book with gold print and title decoratively framed.

Topic: African American; Literature; United States--History--1865-1921

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

Object number: 2010.42.7

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

The Hampton Student Vol. XI No. 3

Published by: Hampton University, American, founded 1868
Subject of: The Hampton Student, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 10 x 6 3/4 in. (25.4 x 17.1 cm)

Type: newspapers

Place depicted: Hampton, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: April 15, 1921

Description: A student and alumni newspaper for the Hampton Institute. The newspaper consist of black print on twenty-two pages of white paper. This issue looks at Hampton's athletics.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Education; Sports

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

Object number: 2010.54.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Les Collégiens 1948

Created by: Harris-Stowe State University, American, founded 1857

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 10 3/4 x 8 in. (27.3 x 20.3 cm)

Type: yearbooks

Place depicted: Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1948

Description: The Stowe's Teacher College yearbook for the year 1948 features black-and-white photographs of students, a blue cover, and sixty-four pages. On the cover in relief, the title, and series of abstracts depicting a football player, a couple dancing in eveningwear, two figures in a canoe, a diver, and a figure receiving a diploma.

Topic: African American; Education

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

Object number: 2010.54.10

Restrictions & Rights: public domain

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Collection Search

Filter by

Search form