NMAAHC Collections Search

Looking for the Bicentennial Man

Written by: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987
Published by: Los Angeles Times, founded 1881

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)

Type: clippings

Date: 1976

Description: A copy of a 1976 commentary in the Los Angeles Times titled, "Looking for the Bicentennial Man." The article discusses Baldwin's views on the state of the United States 200 years after its independence. Baldwin was invited by the LA Times to write this article while residing in the South of France.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Communication; Literature

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number: 2011.99.13

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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 Crisis Vol. 11 No. 3

Published by: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, American, founded 1909
Edited by: W.E.B. Du Bois, American, 1868 - 1963
Subject of: Roseland, Harry, American, 1867 - 1950

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: 9 7/8 x 6 13/16 x 1/8 in. (25.1 x 17.3 x 0.3 cm)

Type: magazines (periodicals)

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

Date: January 1916

Description: The January 1916 (Vol. 11 No. 3) issue of The Crisis. The front cover features a reproduction of the 1904 painting, "To the Highest Bidder" by Harry Roseland. The black-and-white reproduction depicts a mother and daughter standing in front of a sign that reads, "Auction Sale of Slaves". There are approximately 52 pages.

Topic: African American; Literature; Mass media; Politics (Practical); Race relations

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Bobbie Ross in memory of Elizabeth Dillard

Object number: 2012.84.12

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

James Baldwin, Istanbul 1964

Created by: Pakay, Sedat, Turkish, 1945 - 2016
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 13 15/16 x 10 15/16 in. (35.4 x 27.8 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Place captured: Istanbul, Turkey, Middle East, Asia

Date: 1964

Description: A black-and-white portrait of James Baldwin with his right hand on his left shoulder.

Topic: African American; Literature; Photography

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

Object number: 2011.20.1

Restrictions & Rights: © Sedat Pakay 1964

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

James Baldwin by His Typewriter, Istanbul 1966

Created by: Pakay, Sedat, Turkish, 1945 - 2016
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (Image and Sheet): 10 15/16 x 13 15/16 in. (27.8 x 35.4 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Place captured: Istanbul, Turkey, Middle East, Asia

Date: 1966

Description: A photograph of James Baldwin sitting at a typewriter and smoking a cigarette.

Topic: African American; Literature; Photography

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

Object number: 2011.20.2

Restrictions & Rights: © Sedat Pakay 1966

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

James Baldwin on a water taxi, crossing the Golden Horn, Istanbul 1965

Created by: Pakay, Sedat, Turkish, 1945 - 2016
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 10 15/16 x 13 15/16 in. (27.8 x 35.4 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Place captured: Istanbul, Turkey, Middle East, Asia

Date: 1965

Description: A photograph of James Baldwin in a dark shirt. He is on the water of the Golden Horn.

Topic: African American; Literature; Photography

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

Object number: 2011.20.3

Restrictions & Rights: © Sedat Pakay 1965

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

James Baldwin conversing with sailors from the U.S. Sixth Fleet in front of the Blue Mosque, Istanbul, 1965

Created by: Pakay, Sedat, Turkish, 1945 - 2016
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 13 15/16 x 10 15/16 in. (35.4 x 27.8 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place captured: Istanbul, Turkey, Middle East, Asia

Date: 1965

Description: A black-and-white photograph of James Baldwin standing with sailors in front of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.

Topic: African American; Literature; Photography

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

Object number: 2011.20.4

Restrictions & Rights: © Sedat Pakay 1965

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

Tuesday Magazine, Vol. 5, No. 6

Published by: Tuesday Publications, Inc., American, 1965 - 1970s
Edited by: Evans, William Leonard Jr., American, 1914 - 2007
Subject of: Ausby, Ellsworth, American, 1942 - 2011; Machado de Assis, Joaquim Maria, Brazilian, born 1839; Butler, Jerry Jr., American, born 1939
Owned by: Robinson, Avis Collins, American, born 1954

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 13 1/8 × 10 7/8 in. (33.3 × 27.6 cm)

Type: magazines (periodicals)

Place printed: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date: February 1970

Description: Edition of Tuesday Magazine, Vol. 5, No. 6. The cover has black printed text at the top and graphics below. The text reads [NATIONAL / EDITION Tuesday / MAGAZINE] with [FEBRUARY 1970 · ISSUED MONTHLY] in the upper right corner. A list of topics discussed in the magazine is below this [A SPECIAL LOOK / AT THE WORLD OF / BLACK CULTURE / New Artists: / The Style is Personal / The Moviemakers: / Saying It On Film / The Negro in / World History: / Novelist, / Machado de Assis / Jerry Butler: / “The Rhythm, the / Blues, the Roots”]. The front cover has an image of artist Ellsworth Ausby in front of a colorful background. The cover photography is by Doug Harris. There are various articles and advertisements in the issue. The back cover has a Kool cigarettes advertisement. The magazine has twenty-eight (28) pages.

Topic: African American; Advertising; Art; Business; Film; Literature; Mass media; Music; Musicians; Rhythm and blues (Music); Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2018.17.11.4

Restrictions & Rights: © Tuesday Publications, Inc, 1970. 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

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: H x W x D: 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

Restrictions & Rights: © Audre Lorde 1984. 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: Watching Oprah: The Oprah Winfrey Show and American Culture
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse, C 050

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Inkwell owned by James Baldwin

Created by: Unidentified
Owned by: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium: glass and brass
Dimensions: L x W: 3 1/2 x 5 1/4 in. (8.9 x 13.3 cm)

Type: inkwells

Place used: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date: mid 20th century

Description: Inkwell with a glass base and a brass top. This was among James Baldwin's personal effects from his house in St. Paul de Vence in the South of France.

Topic: African American; Literature

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number: 2011.99.1

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Letter to David Baldwin from Cynthia Packard

Written by: Packard, Cynthia
Received by: Baldwin, David, American
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium: ink or paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W (letter): 11 x 8 1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm); H x W (envelope): 4 1/4 x 9 1/2 in. (10.8 x 24.1 cm)

Type: letters (correspondence)

Place depicted: Route de la Colle, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe; 325 New Africa House, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America

Date: July 20, 1994

Description: A typewritten letter (a) dated July 20, 1994 from Cynthia Packard, James Baldwin’s former assistant, to David Baldwin. In the letter Packard conveys her feelings about James Baldwin and how she misses him even seven years after his death. Packard signed the letter with "Cyndie." Also included is the envelope (b) that the letter was sent in. The letter was sent from the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where Packard taught.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Correspondence; Literature

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number: 2011.99.32ab

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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 of James Baldwin seated at his work table

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: 7 1/8 x 9 7/16 in. (18.1 x 24 cm)

Type: photographs; portraits

Place captured: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date: 1970-1987

Description: A black-and-white photograph of James Baldwin sitting at his work table in his home in the South of France.

Topic: African American; Literature; Photography

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number: 2011.99.34

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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

Memorial photograph of the interior of James Baldwin's home in France

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium: dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 6 x 4 in. (15.2 x 10.2 cm)

Type: photographs

Place captured: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date: ca. 1987

Description: A color photograph depicting a memorial to James Baldwin inside his house in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France. The memorial consists of ten (10) candles placed across the mantel piece along with three photographs of Baldwin, a piece of art (far left), and a framed poster (center, above mantle).

Topic: African American; Literature; Photography

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number: 2011.99.35

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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 of James Baldwin standing with the owner of his French home

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium: dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 5 x 3 1/2 in. (12.7 x 8.9 cm)

Type: photographs

Place depicted: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date: December 1978

Description: A color photograph depicting James Baldwin and Jeanne Faure, the owner of his house, standing outside the home in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.

Topic: African American; Literature; Photography

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number: 2011.99.36

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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 of James Baldwin and friends sitting outside around a table

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987; Unidentified Man or Men; Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium: dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 3 1/2 x 5 in. (8.9 x 12.7 cm)

Type: photographs

Place depicted: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date: July 1973

Description: A color photograph depicting James Baldwin seated at a table outside his home in the South of France with six other people drinking, smoking, and eating.

Topic: African American; Literature

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number: 2011.99.40.1

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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 of James Baldwin and friends sitting outside around a table

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987; Unidentified Man or Men; Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium: dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 3 1/2 x 5 in. (8.9 x 12.7 cm)

Type: photographs

Place depicted: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date: July 1973

Description: A color photograph depicting James Baldwin seated at a table outside his home in the South of France with six other people drinking, smoking, and eating.

Topic: African American; Literature

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number: 2011.99.40.2

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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 of James Baldwin and three friends sitting outside around a table

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987; Unidentified Man or Men; Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium: dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 3 1/2 x 5 in. (8.9 x 12.7 cm)

Type: photographs

Place depicted: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date: July 1973

Description: A color photograph of James Baldwin and three others seated at a table outside his home in the South of France.

Topic: African American; Literature

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number: 2011.99.40.3

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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 of James Baldwin and five friends sitting outside around a table

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987; Unidentified Man or Men; Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium: dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 3 1/2 x 5 in. (8.9 x 12.7 cm)

Type: photographs

Place depicted: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe

Date: July 1973

Description: A color photograph of James Baldwin and five others seated at a table outside his home in the South of France.

Topic: African American; Literature

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number: 2011.99.40.4

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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 of objects on the mantelpiece inside James Baldwin's house

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Baldwin, James, American, 1924 - 1987

Medium: dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: L x W: 4 1/4 x 3 1/2 in. (10.8 x 8.9 cm)

Type: photographs

Place depicted: Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

Date: October 1987

Description: A color photograph of objects placed on the mantle above the fireplace in James Baldwin's house in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France.

Topic: African American; Literature

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Baldwin Family

Object number: 2011.99.58

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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

Invisible Man

Written by: Ralph Ellison, American, 1913 - 1994
Published by: Random House, Inc., American, founded 1925

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W x D: 7 1/4 × 5 1/4 × 1 in. (18.4 × 13.3 × 2.6 cm)

Type: hardcover books

Date: 1952

Description: Hardcover Modern Library edition of "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison with book jacket and 439 pages of text. The dust jacket is orange with a drawn graphic profile of an individual facing the spine. The outline of the head is drawn in black with the orange background visible between the border and the black shading in the center. There are three vertical white lines that cross the profile. The lines cross under the outline of the head and over the interior shading. Above the graphic is [invisible man] with "invisible" in yellow and "man" in black printed text. Below the graphic is [a novel by / Ralph Ellison]. The first line is in black and the author's name is in yellow. At the bottom left, in black, is [A MODERN LIBRARY BOOK]. On the spine, printed in black, is the title and author's name at the top. At the bottom of the spine is the Modern Library logo of a runner with a torch. The back cover lists other titles by the publisher. The book jacket flaps have text summarizing the novel and a brief summary of the author. The reverse of the book jacket lists authors and book titles with the heading [WHICH OF THESE OUTSTANDING BOOKS DO YOU WANT TO READ?]. The binding of the hardcover book is dark blue and is embossed with the Modern Library logo. The spine reads [INVISIBLE MAN / RALPH ELLISON] in gold-colored text. The book has inscriptions and is signed.

Topic: African American; Identity; Literature

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

Object number: 2016.26.1

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

La Croisade de Lee Gordon

Written by: Himes, Chester, American, 1909 - 1984
Translated by: Malartic, Yves, French, 1910 - 1986
Published by: Éditions Corrêa, French, founded 1929
Written by: Wright, Richard, American, 1908 - 1960
Subject of: Fabre, Michel, French, 1933 - 2007

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W x D: 7 3/4 × 5 3/4 × 1 1/4 in. (19.7 × 14.6 × 3.2 cm)

Type: paperbacks

Date: 1952

Description: Paperback first French edition of "La Croisade de Lee Gordon" [Lonely Crusade] with a book jacket and a preface by Richard Wright. The cover of the book jacket shows a stylized graphic of a man and woman in the center and the purple silhouette of a woman in the upper right corner. The colors of the cover are black, purple, yellow, and white. At the top, there is black text which reads [CHESTER HIMES] and in the center over top of the figures is printed yellow text [LA CROISADE / DE LEE GORDON] with [PRÉFACE DE RICHARD WRIGHT] underneath in smaller, white text. The bottom of the cover has [CORRÊA] in half yellow and black text. The spine is white with purple and yellow horizontal bars, the author's name, title, and publisher. The back of the book jacket lists other works by the publisher, in French, inside of purple and yellow borders. The book jacket flaps have information about the author and a summary of the book. The reverse of the book jacket is blank. The book has a deckle edge. The paperback cover is yellow and has printed text with the title, author, and preface contributor on the cover in black. Below in white is [LE CHEMIN DE LA VIE] and [COLLECTION DIRIGÉE PAR MAURICE NADEAU / CORRÊA] in black. There is a list of other works by the publisher in French on the back cover of the book. There is a handwritten inscription on the half title page.

Topic: African American; Labor; Literature

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

Object number: 2016.26.3

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

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