"A close shave" - 317th Supply Train, Belleville, Meuse Oct. 12, 1918

Photograph by

United States Army Signal Corps, American, founded 1860

Subject of

317th Motor Supply Train, American, 1917 - 1919

92d Infantry Division, American, 1917 - 1945

Medium

gelatin and silver on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 8 1/2 × 6 1/2 in. (21.6 × 16.5 cm)

H x W: 7 1/8 × 5 5/8 in. (18.1 × 14.3 cm)

Type

photographs

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Place depicted

Belleville-sur-Meuse, Lorraine, France, Europe

Date

October 12, 1918

Description

In this photograph a soldier is shaving another soldiers head. One soldier is seated with his right leg crossed over his left leg. His hands are resting on his thigh and he has a cigarette in his mouth. His hat is hanging on a wooden post to his right. The other soldier stands behind. His hands are raised and he is holding the razor blade in this right hand. He is wearing his uniform and hat and is pursing his lips. The Signal Corps USA logo is in the bottom left corner of photograph. The number [39549] is written next to the logo. The words ["A Close Shave" - 317th Supply Train, Belleville, Meuse / Oct. 12, 1918] are written at the bottom inside the white border.

Topic

Hair

Military

World War I

Credit Line

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

Object number

2015.97.23.6

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Shine, Shave and Haircut

Photograph by

Schwartz, Joe, American, 1913 - 2013

Subject of

Unidentified Man or Men

Unidentified Child or Children

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 13 1/4 x 10 1/16 in. (33.7 x 25.5 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 14 x 10 9/16 in. (35.5 x 26.9 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Place depicted

Ralph Avenue, Ocean Hill, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1940s

Caption

Shine, Shave and Haircut - Next to Kingsboro Housing Project, Ralph Avenue, Ocean Hill, Brooklyn, New York, 1940's

Joe Schwartz, Folk Photography: Poems I've Never Written (2000), 48.

Description

A black-and-white photograph of the inside of an African American barbershop.

Topic

Barbershops

Beauty salons (Beauty shops)

Hair

Labor

Men

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2010.74.46

Restrictions & Rights

© Joe Schwartz

Jacob Philadelphia checks out President Obama's hair in May 2009

Photograph by

Souza, Pete, American, born 1954

Subject of

President Barack Obama, American, born 1961

Philadelphia, Jacob, American, born 2004

Medium

ink on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 13 x 19 1/16 in. (33 x 48.4 cm)

Type

digital prints

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Place captured

White House, Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

May 2009

Description

Photograph featuring President Barack Obama bent over allowing a child to touch his head. The child, Jacob Philadelphia is in the center of the image standing in front of the Presidential desk in the Oval Office. Obama stands slightly to the child's PL. The child raises his PR arm with his PR hand on the President's head. Obama wears a dark suit with his hands in his pockets. On the left side of the image are two (2) adults and one (1) child who stand and watch the interaction between the President and Philadelphia. The two adults, one woman and one man, stand in profile to the camera with their PR sides facing the viewer. The child stands in the foreground, slightly out of focus, also with his PR side facing the viewer. In the lower right corner yellow couch cushions can be seen. The image is bordered in white.

Topic

Children

Hair

Identity

Local and regional

Photography

Politics (Practical)

Race relations

Credit Line

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

Object number

2013.176

Photograph of Mary J. Blige at the NY Music Awards after party at China Club

Photograph by

Pereira, Al, American, born 1963

Subject of

Blige, Mary J., American, born 1971

Printed by

Adler, Bill, American, born 1951

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 13 7/8 × 10 15/16 in. (35.2 × 27.8 cm)

H x W (Image): 13 × 8 11/16 in. (33 × 22.1 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Collection title

Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Place captured

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

Date

1992; printed 2003

Description

A black-and-white photograph of Mary J. Blige at the New York Music Awards after party at China Club in New York City. The image features Blige lowering her sunglasses to peer at the camera while leaning against a wall or column. In the background, a neon sign for the China Club is partially visible above a banner reading "New York Music Awards." On the back are inscriptions by Bill Adler identifying the photographer, subject, location, and date.

Topic

Fashion

Hair

Hip hop (Music)

Musicians

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2015.132.293

Restrictions & Rights

© Al Pereira

Photograph of Big Daddy Kane getting a shape up

Photograph by

Pereira, Al, American, born 1963

Subject of

Big Daddy Kane, American, born 1968

Printed by

Adler, Bill, American, born 1951

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

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

H x W (Image): 13 × 8 5/8 in. (33 × 21.9 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Collection title

Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Date

July 12, 1989; printed 2003

Description

A black-and-white photograph of Big Daddy Kane getting his hair trimmed. Kane is sitting in the foreground with a cape draped over his shoulders. His head is tilted to his left as the barber uses electric clippers to shape Kane's box top hair style. The barber is shirtless and also sports a box top, with cuts at his right temple. There is an inscription on the back with the subject, photographer, and date written by Bill Adler.

Topic

Beauty salons (Beauty shops)

Business

Fashion

Hair

Hip hop (Music)

Musicians

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2015.132.267

Restrictions & Rights

© Al Pereira

Electrical hot comb heater and hot comb

Manufactured by

Solar Electric Manufacturing Co., American

Used by

McIntyre, Edna Stevens, American, 1917 - 2017

Medium

metal, ceramic, wood, plastic and cloth

Dimensions

a - Heater (with cord coiled at side): 4 1/2 × 9 3/4 × 13 in. (11.4 × 24.8 × 33 cm)

a - Heater (with cord wrapped around it): 4 3/4 × 5 11/16 × 8 in. (12.1 × 14.4 × 20.3 cm)

a - Heater (without cord): 4 3/4 × 5 3/16 × 7 3/8 in. (12.1 × 13.2 × 18.7 cm)

a - cord outstretched (just cord): 7/8 × 60 7/8 × 1 in. (2.2 × 154.6 × 2.5 cm)

b - comb: 3/4 × 7 3/16 × 1 1/4 in. (1.9 × 18.3 × 3.2 cm)

Type

equipment

Classification

Adornment

Tools and Equipment-Personal use

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 050

Place used

United States, North and Central America

Date

1920s

Description

An electric hot comb heater with a hot comb. The hot comb heater (48a) has a cylindrically-shaped body, with a stainless steel exterior and ceramic insulating tube interior. Hot combs are placed inside the central ceramic tube to be heated for use. The heater is bolted to a black-painted steel base. On one of the short ends of the base is a toggle switch with "OFF" to the left and "ON" to the right. On the opposite short end from the toggle switch is a cloth-covered electrical cord that extends out of the base. There are stainless steel rests along both of the long ends of the heater body, which provide spaces for additional hot combs to be placed. There is a stainless steel foot above the toggle switch that provides stability for the handle of the hot comb that is being heated in the interior. The center of the top of the heating element is imprinted with a logo reading "SOLAR". A metal plaque has been attached to the metal base with grommets, reading “SOLAR ELECTRIC MFG CO. / SAN FRANSISCO, CA / MADE IN U.S.A. 2AMPS 115 VOLTS SERIAL NO. 337094”. A paper board is inserted into the bottom of the metal base.

The hot comb (48b) is a brass colored metal comb with black wooden handle. The handle has the initials “E. S. M.” carved into one side.

Topic

Hair

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Linda Crichlow White in honor of her aunt, Edna Stevens McIntyre

Object number

2011.59.48ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Photographic slide of the Poor People's Campaign

Photograph by

Robert Houston, American, born 1935

Subject of

Poor People's Campaign, American, 1967 - 1968

Unidentified Man or Men

Black Star, American, founded 1935

Medium

reversal film and plastic

Dimensions

H x W: 1 15/16 × 1 15/16 in. (4.9 × 4.9 cm)

Type

color slides

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Place depicted

National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

May 21, 1968 - June 23, 1968

Caption

This slide is part of a collection of 35mm slides encapsulating Robert Houston's full portfolio of images related to the Poor People's Campaign and the antipoverty protest camp on the National Mall. Known as "Resurrection City," the camp lasted for six weeks in the spring of 1968.

Description

This color slide depicts people getting haircuts outside several A frame shelters. In the foreground is a seated young man, draped in a striped barber’s cloth. Another man stands in front of him, holding an electric razor in his right hand. His left hand rests on the young man's head. He wears a white barber’s smock, dark pants and a dark flat cap. Another individual is seated behind them, also draped in a barber's cloth. A man in a blue flat cap, sunglasses and white top stands next to him. Trees and A frame shelters are visible in the background. The slide mount has text on the reverse that reads "processed by/ rogers color lab corp. / new york."

Topic

Activism

Barbershops

Civil rights

Hair

Housing

Local and regional

Photography

Politics (Practical)

Poverty

United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line

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

Object number

2015.245.253

Restrictions & Rights

© Robert Houston

Tin for Madame C.J. Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower

Manufactured by

Walker, Madam C.J. Manufacturing Company, American, founded 1906

Subject of

Walker, Madam C.J., American, 1867 - 1919

Medium

metal

Dimensions

Diameter: 2 3/4 × 13/16 in. (7 × 2.1 cm)

Type

canisters

Classification

Adornment

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

Place made

Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, United States, North and Central America

Date

1910s - 1920s

Description

The canister is metal with yellow lacquer coloring its external surface. The outside of the canister is covered with textual and illustrative designs in black ink printed on top of the yellow lacquer. The product name [WONDERFUL HAIR GROWER] is written in horizontal text across the center of the lid beneath an ink illustration of a black woman pictured from her shoulders up with her hair down. Beneath the product name are additional lines of text which read [NET CONTENTS 2 OZ/MADE BY/THE MADAM C.J. WALKER/MANUFACTURING CO./INDIANAPOLIS, IND./PRICE 50 CENTS]. Above the illustration and curved to the arc of the lid edge is the brand name of the product in black text [MADAM C. J. WALKERS/TRADE MARK REGISTERED].

Topic

Business

Hair

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from Dawn Simon Spears and Alvin Spears, Sr.

Object number

2011.159.6

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Wood hair comb from Ghana

Created by

Unidentified

Owned by

Reed, Mattye Marie, American, 1918 - 2003

Dr. Reed, William E., American, 1914 - 2006

Medium

wood

Dimensions

H x W x D: 4 3/4 × 2 5/8 × 3/16 in. (12.1 × 6.7 × 0.5 cm)

Type

combs (grooming tools)

Classification

Tools and Equipment-Personal use

Exhibition

A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 1, C1 053

Place made

Ghana, West Africa, Africa

Date

1950s

Description

This is a wooden afro pick comb from Ghana. Made of light colored wood, it is not glossy and has probably not been treated. Of the six teeth, one on the far left is broken off near the tip. There is an abstract design incised into the front of the comb. The top part of the design near the top of the handle of the comb is colored in a purple color. There is a hole at the end of the handle. A piece of masking tape with [GHANA] written in black ink is stuck to the reverse.

Topic

Africa

Hair

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Family of William & Mattye Reed

Object number

2014.182.99

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Marcel-curler from a travel hair care kit used by Anna Mae Queen Holmes

Manufactured by

Reck-Junior, founded 1950

Owned by

Holmes, Anna Mae Queen, American, 1926 - 2013

Medium

steel, Bakelite (TM) and brass

Dimensions

H x W x D (Closed): 10 13/16 × 1 5/8 × 13/16 in. (27.5 × 4.1 × 2.1 cm)

H x W x D (Open): 10 5/16 × 4 7/16 × 13/16 in. (26.2 × 11.3 × 2.1 cm)

Barrel Diameter: 5/8 in.

Type

curling irons

Classification

Tools and Equipment-Personal use

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 050

Place made

Germany, Europe

Place collected

Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, North and Central America

Date

1950s

Description

A curling iron, also called a stove iron, with isolating rolling handles. The 5/8 inch barrel curling iron has one (1) metal barrel with a clamp that closes to halfway cover the barrel. The barrel and clamp are hinged together with no spring. The curling iron has two (2) handles that are covered with an insolating material, possibly Bakelite (TM). The two (2) ends are capped with non-removable brass end caps. The curling iron was placed on, or inside, a stove or another hot surface to heat it. The manufacturer's mark is on the center of the top of the clamp with the name [RECK-JUNIOR] inside an oval and the text [MADE IN GERMANY] below.

Topic

Hair

Travel

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Cheryl Dozier Payne in memory of Anna Mae Queen Holmes, Educator & Historian

Object number

2014.224.4.6

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Plastic comb with pearl accents from Mae's Millinery Shop

Created by

Unidentified

Owned by

Reeves, Mae, American, 1912 - 2016

Subject of

Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994

Medium

plastic, beads, and monofilament

Dimensions

H x W x D: 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 x 3/4 in. (8.9 x 12.1 x 1.9 cm)

Type

combs (hair ornaments)

Collection title

Mae's Millinery Shop Collection

Classification

Adornment

Place collected

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date

1941-1994

Description

Clear plastic comb decorated with large and small faux pearls from Mae's Millinery Shop. The comb has seven (7) teeth extending from a rounded bar that is thicker in the middle. The bar is covered on the facing side with a cluster of faux pearl beads in varying sizes attached with monofilament.

Topic

Business

Clothing and dress

Fashion

Hair

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donna Limerick

Object number

2016.48.51.11

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Deas McNeil, The Barber

Photograph by

Bey, Dawoud, American, born 1953

Printed by

Black Point Editions, American, founded 2004

Subject of

McNeil, Deas, American

Medium

gelatin and carbon black on rag paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. (16.5 x 24.1 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 16 x 20 in. (40.6 x 50.8 cm)

Type

carbon prints

portraits

Portfolio/Series

Harlem, USA

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Place depicted

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

Date

1976; printed 2005

Description

This image depicts a man standing in a barbershop, surrounded by the tools of the trade. He stands with his left foot on the floor and his right foot propped up on the footrest of the empty barber chair next to him. His left hand rests on the arm of the chair, while his right hand rests on the counter to his right. The counter is cluttered with bottles, lotions, electrical cords, and a pair of glasses. The man, wearing a white short sleeve shirt, dark trousers and lace-up leather shoes, is reflected in the wide mirror over the counter. He gazes slightly to the right of the camera. In the background is a couch, an empty coat rack and a wall clock.

Topic

Barbershops

Beauty salons (Beauty shops)

Business

Communities

Hair

Men

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2013.197.10

Restrictions & Rights

© Dawoud Bey

Jet Vol. VIII No. 20

Published by

Johnson Publishing Company, American, founded 1942

Subject of

Till, Emmett, American, 1941 - 1955

Williams, Sue

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W x D (Closed): 5 7/8 × 4 1/8 × 1/8 in. (14.9 × 10.5 × 0.3 cm)

H x W x D (Open): 5 7/8 × 8 1/8 × 1/8 in. (14.9 × 20.6 × 0.3 cm)

Type

magazines (periodicals)

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

Place printed

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date

September 22, 1955

Description

An issue of Jet magazine from September 22, 1955. The cover features a photo of Sue Williams surrounded by black and magenta print. The interior contains an article about Emmett Till.

Topic

Hair

Hate crimes

Mass media

Race relations

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Elmer J. Whiting, III

Object number

2011.17.6

Restrictions & Rights

© 1955 Johnson Publishing Company. Permission required for use.

Photograph of Sybil Parker

Photograph by

Unidentified

Subject of

Parker, Sybil

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 4 7/16 × 3 1/16 in. (11.2 × 7.8 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 4 7/8 × 3 1/2 in. (12.4 × 8.9 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Collection title

The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Date

1937

Description

A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Sybil Parker. Parker is depicted in close-up, from the shoulders up. She is facing the viewer, smiling, with her head tilted towards the left side of the image. She is looking up towards the left. She has dark, chin length hair, parted down the center and she is wearing a medium toned garment that has a smooth neckline and gathers across the chest. There are notations in pencil on the back of the photograph. There are no inscriptions on the front of the photograph.

Topic

Hair

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2013.46.25.238

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

Where Beauty Touches Me: Natural Hair Care and Beauty

Written by

Ferrell, Pamela, American, born 1959

Published by

Cornrows & Co., American, founded 1980

Edited by

Lattimore, Carmen

Photograph by

Andre Richardson Photography, American

Medium

ink on paper with glue

Dimensions

H x W x D (Closed): 11 1/16 × 8 9/16 × 3/8 in. (28.1 × 21.8 × 0.9 cm)

H x W x D (Open): 11 1/16 × 17 3/16 × 7/8 in. (28.1 × 43.6 × 2.3 cm)

Type

paperback books

Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 050

Place printed

United States, North and Central America

Date

1993

Description

A first edition paperback of Where Beauty Touches Me: Natural Hair Care and Beauty Book by Pamela Ferrell with a forward written by Jacquelin Celeste Peters. The front cover is white with a tan-outlined, centrally featured, black-and-white photograph. The photograph depicts the heads and necks of five (5) women with different hairstyles. Four of the women are angled away from each corner of the image towards the center of the photograph and have their eyes closed. The fifth woman is depicted in the center of the photograph with her eyes open and staring directly at the viewer. The full title of the book is printed along the top third of the front cover in brown and tan text. Below the central image is more black and tan text that reads, [Featuring step-by-step braided and natural hair styles. / By Pam Ferrell of Cornrows & Co] followed by a trademark symbol. The back cover of the book is white with a tan outline. It features a small black-and-white image of the author in the top left corner followed by biographical information. Below the author’s information is a blurb summarizing the book’s purpose and contents. There is a white barcode sticker in the bottom right corner of the back cover. On the book spine is the title of the book and the publisher’s information in black type. The interior pages, one hundred and twenty-nine (129) in total, are white with black type with color photographs, black-and-white photographs, and black-and-white illustrations throughout.

Topic

Beauty salons (Beauty shops)

Hair

Identity

Resistance

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Joanne Hyppolite

Object number

2016.37

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

Indoor Photo of a Woman and Two Women Brushing her Hair, Beautician Fashion Show

Created by

Rev. Anderson, Henry Clay, American, 1911 - 1998

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on acetate film

Dimensions

H x W: 4 x 5 in (10.2 x 12.7 cm)

Type

negatives

portraits

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Place made

Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi, United States

Date

1948 - 1970s

Description

Indoor Photo of a Woman Sitting in a Chair and Two Women Brushing her Hair, Beautician Fashion Show

Topic

American South

Beauty salons (Beauty shops)

Communities

Fashion

Hair

Photography

Segregation

Credit Line

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

Object number

2007.1.69.15.10.C

Restrictions & Rights

© Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Afro hair comb with black fist design

Distributed by

Eden Enterprise, Inc., American, founded 2002

Medium

plastic and metal

Dimensions

6 3/4 × 2 3/4 × 7/16 in. (17.1 × 7 × 1.1 cm)

Type

combs (grooming tools)

Classification

Tools and Equipment-Personal use

Date

2002-2014

Description

Plastic and metal afro-pick manufactured by Eden Enterprise, Inc. Afro-hair pick has black plastic handle shaped like a raised hand in fist. In relief on plastic handle, reads [Eden/Christina MJ/MADE IN CHINA]. Teeth of pick are metal. Packaging is still sealed. Packaging is white plastic, with afro-pick in pouch between white plastic backing and a clear front plastic, so item can be seen (on one side only). Front of packaging, at top, reads [Eden] in white in the red top left corner, with [METAL FISTPIK] in black in center of the top section of the package with blue and green leaf and flower like depictions in the background. The back of the packaging is all white, with the top portion reading [Eden] in red at the top, with [Distributed by/EDEN Enterprise, Inc./Skokie, IL 60077/Made In China] in blue underneath, all aligned to the left. The barcode is on the right of the top portion of the reverse of the packaging, oriented vertically. Hole at top center of packaging - for display/hanging purposes.

Topic

Black power

Hair

Identity

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Elaine Nichols

Object number

2014.125.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Bag for a travel hair care kit used by Anna Mae Queen Holmes

Manufactured by

Best Products Co., Inc., American, 1957 - 1997

Owned by

Holmes, Anna Mae Queen, American, 1926 - 2013

Medium

synthetic fiber, plastic, metal, foam, rubber, elastic, and Velcro (TM)

Dimensions

H x W x D: 11 × 17 1/2 × 10 in. (27.9 × 44.5 × 25.4 cm)

Type

cases (containers)

Classification

Tools and Equipment-Personal use

Place collected

Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, North and Central America

Date

late 20th century

Description

This gray bag was used by Anna Mae Queen Holmes to store a travel hair care kit (2014.224.4.1-23). The rectangular bag is made from a gray canvas synthetic fabric. The top of the bag opens on three sides with a black metal zipper. There are pockets sewn on each side and on the front of the bag, all of which close with black metal zippers. A short handle of gray and blue striped woven tape is sewn horizontally at the center top, with two additional lengths sewn vertically across the top, each ending in a black plastic metal buckle. These buckles attach to two (2) straps sewn above the front pocket, each ending in the opposite side of the black plastic metal buckles sewn on the top. Loops of the gray and blue woven tape are sewn above each of the side pockets with a black plastic loop attached to them, likely for a longer carrying strap that is now missing. A metal plate with black text reading "Albinar" is attached to the lower right facing corner of the front pocket. Two (2) black rubber strips are attached to the bottom of the bag with the text "Albinar" impressed into the rubber. A black leather label is sewn to the center of the bottom of the bag with white text printed on it that reads "PRO-4500".

The interior of the bag and all pocket interiors are lined in bright blue synthetic fabric. The interior of the lid is lined in a tan synthetic fabric with two (2) strips of gray Velcro (TM) attached just left of center. A length of black elastic sewn along the right side into a series of small loops. The bag is kept stiff by a thick layer of foam placed between the lining and facing of the body and lid of the bag. Thinner foam is placed between the lining and facing of the tops of the side pockets, and all of the front pocket. A hard material, likely plastic, is placed inside the bottom of the bag making it stiffer than the rest of the bag. A white tag with red printed text is sewn to the back right facing side seam of the interior that reads "MADE IN CHINA".

As used by Holmes, the bag contained the following items:

2014.224.4.1 Orange Portable Stove

2014.224.4.2 Pressing Comb with Switch

2014.224.4.3 Pressing Comb

2014.224.4.4 Reck-Junior Pressing Comb (see item level record)

2014.224.4.5 Kentucky Maid Pressing Comb

2014.224.4.6 Reck-Junior Stove Iron (see item level record)

2014.224.4.7 Curling Iron

2014.224.4.8 Sta-Sharp Hair Clipper

2014.224.4.9 Hair Clipper

2014.224.4.10 Hair Clipper

2014.224.4.11 Baby Bob No. 340-0000 Hair Clipper

2014.224.4.12 Sonora Nail Buffer

2014.224.4.13 Lint Remover

2014.224.4.14 Bag of Hair Accessories

2014.224.4.15 Herpicide Disinfecting System Container

2014.224.4.16.1-.3 Jewelry Box

2014.224.4.17 White Comb

2014.224.4.18 Ace Red Comb

2014.224.4.19 Black Comb

2014.224.4.20 Diane Black Comb

2014.224.4.21 Black Comb

2014.224.4.22 Yellow Comb

2014.224.4.23.1-.2Fancy Heat Sterno Can

Topic

Hair

Travel

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Cheryl Dozier Payne in memory of Anna Mae Queen Holmes, Educator & Historian

Object number

2014.224.4

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

Photograph of Ol' Dirty Bastard on the set of the "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" video

Photograph by

Pereira, Al, American, born 1963

Subject of

Ol’ Dirty Bastard, American, 1968 - 2004

Printed by

Adler, Bill, American, born 1951

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 13 7/8 × 10 15/16 in. (35.2 × 27.8 cm)

H x W (Image): 12 15/16 × 8 5/8 in. (32.9 × 21.9 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Collection title

Eyejammie Hip Hop Photography Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Place captured

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

Date

1995

Description

A black-and-white photograph of Ol' Dirty Bastard, with clapboard, on the set of the "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" video in Astoria Queens, probably 4/21/95. ODB is pictured center frame, looking away from the camera and towards his right while an arm from the left of frame holds a production clapboard in front of him. The top of the clapboard reads [Ol' Dirty Bastard Shimmy Shimmy Ya]. On the back of the photograph are inscriptions by Bill Adler identifying the photographer, subject, location, and date.

Topic

Hair

Hip hop (Music)

Musicians

Photography

Credit Line

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

Object number

2015.132.300

Restrictions & Rights

© Al Pereira

Photographic slide of the Poor People's Campaign

Photograph by

Robert Houston, American, born 1935

Subject of

Poor People's Campaign, American, 1967 - 1968

Unidentified Man or Men

Created by

Rogers Color Laboratory Corp., American, 1964 - 1996

Medium

reversal film and cardboard

Dimensions

H x W: 1 15/16 × 1 15/16 in. (4.9 × 4.9 cm)

Type

color slides

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Place depicted

National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

May 13, 1968 - June 23, 1968

Caption

This slide is part of a collection of 35mm slides encapsulating Robert Houston's full portfolio of images related to the Poor People's Campaign and the antipoverty protest camp on the National Mall. Known as "Resurrection City," the camp lasted for six weeks in the spring of 1968.

Description

This color slide depicts a man cutting a seated man's hair in Resurrection City. In the foreground is a seated young man with a striped barber's cloth draped around his neck. He sits turned three-quarters away from the viewer. Standing in front of him is a man in a white tunic with front pockets. He has dark pants and a dark green cap. He holds a white comb in his left hand and has a black comb in his front pocket. His gaze is focused on the young man's hair. Watching them is a third man in a yellow and black striped shirt. Over the shirt he wears a striped cardigan sweater in shades of grey and yellow. He has a pink comb in his hair. Behind the men are other seated individuals getting their hair cut. Visible in the background are rows of A frame shelters under the trees. The slide mount has text on the reverse that reads "processed by/ rogers color lab corp. / new york."

Topic

Activism

Barbershops

Civil rights

Hair

Housing

Local and regional

Photography

Politics (Practical)

Poverty

United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line

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

Object number

2015.245.218

Restrictions & Rights

© Robert Houston