NMAAHC Collections Search

Handbill for a performance by the Fisk Jubilee Singers

Printed by: Tucker Printing House, American
Subject of: Fisk Jubilee Singers, American, founded 1871; Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895; Twain, Mark, American, 1835 - 1910

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 8 3/4 x 6 1/4 in. (22.2 x 15.9 cm)

Type: handbills

Place printed: Portland, Cumberland County, Maine, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1875

Description: A paper handbill advertisement for a performance by the Jubilee Singers on March 23, 1875 at City Hall in an unnamed location. One side of the handbill has the printed title [A SONG FROM FREDERICK DOUGLASS] at the top and then recounts a visit of the Jubilee Singers with Frederick Douglass where he shared a spiritual that he sang while enslaved that inspired him to seek freedom in the North. The lyrics of the song are printed in the center of the handbill. The details for the upcoming performance are printed at the bottom center in large text [CITY HALL / ON THE EVENING OF / TUESDAY, MARCH 23D, 1875. / Tickets now on sale at Stockbridge's]. At the bottom left corner in small print is [Tucker Printing House, Portland.]; The other side of the handbill has printed a letter to [Theo. F. Seward, Esq.] from Samuel Clemens recounting how much he enjoys performances by the Jubilee Singers. At the top of the page in large text is printed [MARK TWAIN / AND THE / Jubilee Singers]. At the bottom center of the page is the text [CITY HALL, / TUESDAY EVENING!].
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Amusements; Folk (Music); Resistance; Singers (Musicians); Slavery; Spirituals (Music)

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

Object number: 2011.57.1

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Management contract for Sam Cooke

Created by: William Morris Agency, American, 1898 - 2009
Subject of: Cooke, Sam, American, 1931 - 1964

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 11 x 8 1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm)

Type: contract documents

Place depicted: Manhattan, New York City, New York, New York, United States, North and Central America; Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: May 26, 1959

Description: A one-year management contract between Sam Cooke and the William Morris Agency. It is comprised of two sheets of white paper with black printed text and additional typed and stamped information. Stapled to the front of the document is a small sheet of white paper with typed text regarding paragraph 3(b) of the contract. Sam Cooke's initials are signed at the bottom of this page.

Topic: African American; Business; Entertainers; Singers (Musicians); Soul (Music)

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

Object number: 2011.68.6

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
Exhibition: Musical Crossroads
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of Denyce Graves wearing a Donna Langman designed dress for "Carmen"

Photograph by: Unidentified
Subject of: Graves, Denyce, American, born 1964

Medium: ink on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 5 x 3 in. (12.7 x 7.6 cm)

Type: color photographs; portraits

Place depicted: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 2012

Description: Full color photograph of American mezzo-soprano opera singer, Denyce Graves, wearing a pink and black satin flamenco-style designed by Donna Langman for Act IV in the Washington National Opera's production of "Carmen". This candid photograph of Graves in costume appears to have been taken while backstage.

Topic: African American; Costume; Local and regional; Musical Theatre; Opera (Music); Photography; Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Denyce Graves

Object number: 2012.49.3

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

Journal owned by Saul Williams

Created by: Williams, Saul, American, born 1972

Medium: ink on paper, burlap
Dimensions: H x W x D: 10 7/8 × 8 1/2 × 1 1/2 in. (27.6 × 21.6 × 3.8 cm)

Type: journals (accounts)

Date: 2001 - 2002

Description: Bound journal of notes and poetry. Journal is olive green with red binding on the spine. Adhered to the red binding on the front cover, spine, and back cover are portions of cut burlap. A mixed media collage is adhered to the inside of the front cover. Pages made of recycled dark yellow paper with inserted pages of various paper materials. An additional mixed media collage is also adhered to the inside back cover.

Topic: African American; Identity; Language; Poetry; Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Saul Williams

Object number: 2014.188.2ab

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

Poster of Della Reese

Created by: Risher, Jenny
Subject of: Della Reese, American, 1937 - 2017

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 16 3/16 × 16 3/4 in. (41.1 × 42.5 cm)

Type: photomechanical prints; portraits; posters

Date: late 20th century - early 21st century

Description: Poster featuring a color photograph of Della Reese singing. She is behind a microphone stand with her elbows bent at ninety degree angles. She wears a flowing dress jumpsuit with a semi-sheer shawl covering her upper torso, arms, and back. The shawl is tan, light pink, and dark pink, with silver details. A red flower is in her shoulder-length hair. The background is black.; There are scratches scattered throughout the top right quadrant, which caused loss of color. The poster came in in a plastic sleeve with paper backing. In the top left corner of the back is an upside down black stamp with text that reads [Jenny Risher / 917-723-3785 / info@Jennyrisher.com]

Topic: African American; Actors; Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Rev. Della Reese-Lett and Mr. Franklin Lett

Object number: 2015.150.2

Restrictions & Rights: © Jenny Risher. Permission required for use.

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

Carte-de-visite of the Jubilee Singers

Created by: American Missionary Association, American, 1846 - 1999
Photograph by: Black, James Wallace, American, 1825 - 1896
Subject of: Fisk Jubilee Singers, American, founded 1871; Fisk University, American, founded 1866

Medium: albumen and silver on photographic paper and cardboard
Dimensions: H x W: 2 1/2 x 4 1/4 in. (6.4 x 10.8 cm)

Type: cartes-de-visite; albumen prints

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

Date: 1872; printed later

Description: A carte-de-viste depicting the Fisk University Jubilee Singers, with all nine members present. On the back, the photo reads "American Missionary Association. Jubilee Singers, Fisk University, Nashville, TN."

Topic: African American; Education; Humanitarianism; Photography; Religious groups; Singers (Musicians); Spirituals (Music)

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

Object number: 2010.54.4

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

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

Peace Advocates

Created by: Schwartz, Joe, American, 1913 - 2013
Subject of: Scott, Hazel, American, 1920 - 1981; Robeson, Paul, American, 1898 - 1976

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

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

Date: 1940s

Caption: Peace Advocates - Hazel Scott, Paul Robeson, New York City, 1940's; Joe Schwartz, Folk Photography: Poems I've Never Written (2000), 203.
Description: A black-and-white photograph of Hazel Scott and Paul Robeson in a New York City club. Scott plays the piano and sings into a microphone.

Topic: African American; Jazz (Music); Photography; Singers (Musicians)

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

Object number: 2010.74.149

Restrictions & Rights: © Joe Schwartz

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography
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

Artwork featuring illustrated portraits of Della Reese

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Della Reese, American, 1937 - 2017

Medium: ink , paper (fiber product) , glass , metal
Dimensions: H x W (drawing): 23 5/8 × 21 1/2 in. (60 × 54.6 cm); H x W x D (frame): 27 1/4 × 24 1/4 × 3/4 in. (69.2 × 61.6 × 1.9 cm)

Type: drawings; portraits

Date: circa 1970

Description: Framed collage-style drawing featuring three images of Della Reese. The drawing is done entirely in black, gray, and white. In each image, she is pictured from the chest up, holding a microphone. The largest image is at the top right. It shows the woman with a gray streak in her black hair, her eyes closed, mouth open and hands raised. On the left, she wears a floral patterned garment, with her mouth open as if she is singing. The lowest image appears to have been done on a separate sheet of paper and overlaid with the other drawing. It shows her smiling and wearing a garment with a decorated neckline. The drawing is in a black metal frame on brown mat board with a tan border. The drawing is signed along a flower stem at lower left [dick Ell-(illegible)].

Topic: African American; Actors; Entertainers; Singers (Musicians); Television

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Rev. Della Reese-Lett and Mr. Franklin Lett

Object number: 2015.150.3

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Visual Arts; Memorabilia and Ephemera
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

Statues Hardly Ever Smile

16mm motion picture film of Statues Hardly Ever Smile

Directed by: Lathan, Stan, American, born 1945
Produced by: Chamba Productions, founded 1971
Created by: Collins, Kathleen, American, 1942 - 1988
Produced by: Garrett, Kent, American, born 1941
Subject of: Brooklyn Museum, American, founded 1895
Owned by: Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium: 16mm Film (a): acetate film;
Dimensions: Duration: 19 Minutes; Length (Film): 750 Feet

Type: motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed: Brooklyn, New York City, Kings County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1971

Caption: 16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions for the Brooklyn Museum about a program to bring children from the local community into the museum to create performance art. Includes footage of children interacting with objects in the museum and creating performances based upon their reaction.
Description: 16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions about a program to bring children from the local community into the Brooklyn Museum to create performance art.; Consists of: 16mm Print (a).; 2012.79.1.63.1a: 16mm Print. The film begins with the camera panning around a room with many cases in the Brooklyn Museum. Children are heard in the voiceover narration describing the statues. The footage also includes close-ups of some of the statues. The next scene shows children and young adults following spoken directions to pretend they are holding various objects in their hands. The narrator describes how the children spent time in the rotunda of the museum for six weeks, and there is footage of the children participating in dance exercises in the rotunda. The narrator describes the idea for the project to bring children together with an object and create a performance around that. The next scene shows an object and children touching the face of another object. Some other children are shown in front of a different museum object and holding the same pose as that object. Children in the voiceover narration describe thinking about the objects and questioning what the people depicted in the objects are doing. As the narrator describes, the children participated in improvisation based on the space and the objects around them. The footage includes a group of students discussing how to put on an improvisation based on an object. The next scene shows the students performing the improvisation in the rotunda that they created. One of the boys reflects on how he did the improvisation. In the next scene, the students perform a dance while a man plays a drum. The next scene shows a man playing the piano and singing and the children sing along with him. The music accompanies a montage of the students doing various activities shown in the film. The final scene shows the students leaving the museum, a bus traveling a city street, one of the students exiting the bus and greeting some friends as the credits appear. The film ends with children playing in a circle on a playground.

Topic: African American; Art; Children; Communities; Dance; Education; Instrumentalists (Musicians); Museums; Singers (Musicians); Theatre; Urban life

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Pearl Bowser

Object number: 2012.79.1.63.1a

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Pearl Bowser Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Statues Hardly Ever Smile

16mm motion picture film of Statues Hardly Ever Smile

Directed by: Lathan, Stan, American, born 1945
Produced by: Chamba Productions, founded 1971
Edited by: Collins, Kathleen, American, 1942 - 1988
Produced by: Garrett, Kent, American, born 1941
Subject of: Brooklyn Museum, American, founded 1895
Owned by: Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium: 16mm Film (a): acetate film;
Dimensions: Duration: 19 Minutes; Length (Film): 750 Feet

Type: motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed: Brooklyn, New York City, Kings County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1971

Caption: 16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions for the Brooklyn Museum about a program to bring children from the local community into the museum to create performance art. Includes footage of children interacting with objects in the museum and creating performances based upon their reaction.
Description: 16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions about a program to bring children from the local community into the Brooklyn Museum to create performance art.; Consists of: 16mm Print (a).; 2012.79.1.63.2a: 16mm Print. The film begins with the camera panning around a room with many cases in the Brooklyn Museum. Children are heard in the voiceover narration describing the statues. The footage also includes close-ups of some of the statues. The next scene shows children and young adults following spoken directions to pretend they are holding various objects in their hands. The narrator describes how the children spent time in the rotunda of the museum for six weeks, and there is footage of the children participating in dance exercises in the rotunda. The narrator describes the idea for the project to bring children together with an object and create a performance around that. The next scene shows an object and children touching the face of another object. Some other children are shown in front of a different museum object and holding the same pose as that object. Children in the voiceover narration describe thinking about the objects and questioning what the people depicted in the objects are doing. As the narrator describes, the children participated in improvisation based on the space and the objects around them. The footage includes a group of students discussing how to put on an improvisation based on an object. The next scene shows the students performing the improvisation in the rotunda that they created. One of the boys reflects on how he did the improvisation. In the next scene, the students perform a dance while a man plays a drum. The next scene shows a man playing the piano and singing and the children sing along with him. The music accompanies a montage of the students doing various activities shown in the film. The final scene shows the students leaving the museum, a bus traveling a city street, one of the students exiting the bus and greeting some friends as the credits appear. The film ends with children playing in a circle on a playground.

Topic: African American; Art; Children; Communities; Dance; Education; Instrumentalists (Musicians); Museums; Singers (Musicians); Theatre; Urban life

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Pearl Bowser

Object number: 2012.79.1.63.2a

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Pearl Bowser Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Statues Hardly Ever Smile

16mm motion picture film of Statues Hardly Ever Smile

Owned by: Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931
Produced by: Chamba Productions, founded 1971
Edited by: Collins, Kathleen, American, 1942 - 1988
Directed by: Lathan, Stan, American, born 1945
Produced by: Garrett, Kent, American, born 1941
Subject of: Brooklyn Museum, American, founded 1895

Medium: 16mm Film (a): acetate film;
Dimensions: Duration: 19 Minutes; Length (Film): 720 Feet

Type: motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed: Brooklyn, New York City, Kings County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1971

Caption: 16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions for the Brooklyn Museum about a program to bring children from the local community into the museum to create performance art. Includes footage of children interacting with objects in the museum and creating performances based upon their reaction.
Description: 16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions about a program to bring children from the local community into the Brooklyn Museum to create performance art.; Consists of: 16mm Print (a).; 2012.79.1.63.3a: 16mm Print. The film begins with the camera panning around a room with many cases in the Brooklyn Museum. Children are heard in the voiceover narration describing the statues. The footage also includes close-ups of some of the statues. The next scene shows children and young adults following spoken directions to pretend they are holding various objects in their hands. The narrator describes how the children spent time in the rotunda of the museum for six weeks, and there is footage of the children participating in dance exercises in the rotunda. The narrator describes the idea for the project to bring children together with an object and create a performance around that. The next scene shows an object and children touching the face of another object. Some other children are shown in front of a different museum object and holding the same pose as that object. Children in the voiceover narration describe thinking about the objects and questioning what the people depicted in the objects are doing. As the narrator describes, the children participated in improvisation based on the space and the objects around them. The footage includes a group of students discussing how to put on an improvisation based on an object. The next scene shows the students performing the improvisation in the rotunda that they created. One of the boys reflects on how he did the improvisation. In the next scene, the students perform a dance while a man plays a drum. The next scene shows a man playing the piano and singing and the children sing along with him. The music accompanies a montage of the students doing various activities shown in the film. The final scene shows the students leaving the museum, a bus traveling a city street, one of the students exiting the bus and greeting some friends as the credits appear. The film ends with children playing in a circle on a playground.

Topic: African American; Art; Children; Communities; Dance; Education; Instrumentalists (Musicians); Museums; Singers (Musicians); Theatre; Urban life

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Pearl Bowser

Object number: 2012.79.1.63.3a

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Pearl Bowser Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Statues Hardly Ever Smile

16mm motion picture film of Statues Hardly Ever Smile

Directed by: Lathan, Stan, American, born 1945
Produced by: Chamba Productions, founded 1971
Edited by: Collins, Kathleen, American, 1942 - 1988
Produced by: Garrett, Kent, American, born 1941
Subject of: Brooklyn Museum, American, founded 1895
Owned by: Bowser, Pearl, American, born 1931

Medium: 16mm Film (a): acetate film
Dimensions: Duration: 19 Minutes; Length (Film): 720 Feet

Type: motion pictures (information artifacts)

Place filmed: Brooklyn, New York City, Kings County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1971

Caption: 16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions for the Brooklyn Museum about a program to bring children from the local community into the museum to create performance art. Includes footage of children interacting with objects in the museum and creating performances based upon their reaction.
Description: 16mm color film directed by Stan Lathan and produced by Chamba Productions about a program to bring children from the local community into the Brooklyn Museum to create performance art.; Consists of: 16mm Print (a).; 2012.79.1.63.4a: 16mm Print. The film begins with the camera panning around a room with many cases in the Brooklyn Museum. Children are heard in the voiceover narration describing the statues. The footage also includes close-ups of some of the statues. The next scene shows children and young adults following spoken directions to pretend they are holding various objects in their hands. The narrator describes how the children spent time in the rotunda of the museum for six weeks, and there is footage of the children participating in dance exercises in the rotunda. The narrator describes the idea for the project to bring children together with an object and create a performance around that. The next scene shows an object and children touching the face of another object. Some other children are shown in front of a different museum object and holding the same pose as that object. Children in the voiceover narration describe thinking about the objects and questioning what the people depicted in the objects are doing. As the narrator describes, the children participated in improvisation based on the space and the objects around them. The footage includes a group of students discussing how to put on an improvisation based on an object. The next scene shows the students performing the improvisation in the rotunda that they created. One of the boys reflects on how he did the improvisation. In the next scene, the students perform a dance while a man plays a drum. The next scene shows a man playing the piano and singing and the children sing along with him. The music accompanies a montage of the students doing various activities shown in the film. The final scene shows the students leaving the museum, a bus traveling a city street, one of the students exiting the bus and greeting some friends as the credits appear. The film ends with children playing in a circle on a playground.

Topic: African American; Art; Children; Communities; Dance; Education; Instrumentalists (Musicians); Museums; Singers (Musicians); Theatre; Urban life

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Pearl Bowser

Object number: 2012.79.1.63.4a

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Pearl Bowser Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Film and Video

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Costume worn by Terry Ellis in “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” video

Designed by: Flynn, Danny
Worn by: Ellis, Terry Lynn, American, born 1963
Subject of: En Vogue, American, founded 1989

Medium: Dress: aluminum mesh; Bra: Polyester fiber, polyurethane and metal (underwire); Bikini briefs: nylon and spandex; Shoes: leather, plastic, rubber, metal and glittered mesh
Dimensions: H x W (.1, Dress, flat): 28 1/2 × 16 in. (72.4 × 40.6 cm); H x W x D (.1, Dress, on form): 27 × 12 3/4 × 10 in. (68.6 × 32.4 × 25.4 cm); H x W (.2, Bra, flat): 9 3/4 × 12 1/2 in. (24.8 × 31.8 cm); H x W x D (.2, Bra, on form): 9 1/2 × 10 × 9 in. (24.1 × 25.4 × 22.9 cm); H x W (.3, Bikini briefs, flat): 8 × 12 1/4 in. (20.3 × 31.1 cm); H x W x D (.3, Bikini briefs, on form): 8 1/2 × 12 1/2 × 8 in. (21.6 × 31.8 × 20.3 cm); H x W x D (.4a, Shoe (left)): 5 1/2 × 3 1/4 × 10 in. (14 × 8.3 × 25.4 cm); H x W x D (.4b, Shoe (right)): 5 1/2 × 3 1/4 × 10 in. (14 × 8.3 × 25.4 cm)

Type: bikinis (underwear); brassieres; pumps (shoes); sheath dresses

Place used: Oakland, Alameda County, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1992

Description: A costume worn by Terry Ellis of En Vogue for the music video “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” (1992) comprised of a dress (.1), a bra (.2), a pair of bikini briefs (.3), and a pair of shoes (.4ab).; Dress (.1): Mini-length shift dress made of small (1/4-inch) interlocking silver metal octagonal discs. The dress is sleeveless, with a deep v-neck front and a low-cut straight back bodice. The dress is not lined.; Bra (.2): Metallic silver bra in an underwire demi cup style with adjustable straps and an adjustable hook-and-eye back closure. The bra is not lined.; Bikini briefs (.3): Metallic silver bikini style briefs. The briefs are not lined.; Shoes (.4ab): Pair of metallic silver close-toed high-heeled shoes. The shoes have a pointed silver toe cap attached to a vamp made of silver glittered mesh. Two silver straps border the back edge of the vamp and cross at the top of the vamp, continuing across the top of the foot and attached to the sole just in front of the heel. A silver heel strap is attached to the front straps. The curved heels have a tan rubber bottom. A black non-slip rubber pad is adhered to the front half of the soles with a logo of a cat punching above the words "CAT'S PAW."

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Popular music; Singers (Musicians); Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of En Vogue

Object number: 2014.189.10.1-.4ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Costume

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Costume worn by Cindy Herron in “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” video

Designed by: Flynn, Danny
Worn by: Herron, Cindy, American, born 1961
Subject of: En Vogue, American, founded 1989

Medium: Dress: aluminum mesh; Bra: Polyester fiber, polyurethane and metal (underwire); Bikini briefs: nylon and spandex; Shoes: leather, plastic, rubber, metal and glittered mesh
Dimensions: H x W (.1, Dress, flat): 30 × 16 1/2 in. (76.2 × 41.9 cm); H x W x D (.1, Dress, on form): 28 × 12 3/4 × 10 in. (71.1 × 32.4 × 25.4 cm); H x W (.2, Bra, flat): 10 × 13 3/4 in. (25.4 × 34.9 cm); H x W x D (.2, Bra, on form): 9 1/2 × 10 × 9 in. (24.1 × 25.4 × 22.9 cm); H x W (.3, Bikini briefs, flat): 8 1/4 × 12 in. (21 × 30.5 cm); H x W x D (.3, Bikini briefs, on form): 8 1/2 × 12 1/2 × 8 in. (21.6 × 31.8 × 20.3 cm); H x W x D (.4a, Shoe (left)): 5 × 3 3/8 × 10 3/8 in. (12.7 × 8.6 × 26.4 cm); H x W x D (.4b, Shoe (right)): 5 × 3 3/8 × 10 3/8 in. (12.7 × 8.6 × 26.4 cm)

Type: bikinis (underwear); brassieres; pumps (shoes); sheath dresses

Place used: Oakland, Alameda County, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1992

Description: A costume worn by Cindy Herron of En Vogue for the music video “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” (1992) comprised of a dress (.1), a bra (.2), a pair of bikini briefs (.3), and a pair of shoes (.4ab).; Dress (.1): Mini-length shift dress made of small (1/4-inch) interlocking silver metal octagonal discs. The dress is sleeveless, with a scoop neck front bodice. The straps are crossed to form an "x" at the center back bodice. The dress is not lined.; Bra (.2): Metallic silver bra in an underwire demi cup style with adjustable straps and an adjustable hook-and-eye back closure. The bra is not lined.; Bikini briefs (.3): Metallic silver bikini style briefs. The briefs are not lined.; Shoes (.4ab): Pair of metallic silver close-toed high-heeled shoes. The shoes have a pointed silver toe cap attached to a vamp made of silver glittered mesh. Two silver straps border the back edge of the vamp and cross at the top of the vamp, continuing across the top of the foot and attached to the sole just in front of the heel. A silver heel strap is attached to the front straps. The curved heels have a tan rubber bottom. A black non-slip rubber pad is adhered to the front half of the soles with a logo of a cat punching above the words "CAT'S PAW."

Topic: African American; Actors; Clothing and dress; Popular music; Singers (Musicians); Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of En Vogue

Object number: 2014.189.11.1-.4ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Costume

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Costume worn by Dawn Robinson in “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” video

Designed by: Flynn, Danny
Worn by: Robinson, Dawn Sherrese, American, born 1965
Subject of: En Vogue, American, founded 1989

Medium: Dress: aluminum mesh; Bra: Polyester fiber, polyurethane and metal (underwire); Bikini briefs: nylon and spandex; Shoes: leather, plastic, rubber and metal
Dimensions: H x W (.1, Dress, flat): 30 × 18 in. (76.2 × 45.7 cm); H x W x D (.1, Dress, on form): 29 × 12 3/4 × 10 in. (73.7 × 32.4 × 25.4 cm); H x W (.2, Bra, flat): 10 × 12 in. (25.4 × 30.5 cm); H x W x D (.2, Bra, on form): 9 1/2 × 10 × 9 in. (24.1 × 25.4 × 22.9 cm); H x W (.3, Bikini briefs, flat): 7 3/4 × 10 1/2 in. (19.7 × 26.7 cm); H x W x D (.3, Bikini briefs, on form): 8 1/2 × 12 1/2 × 8 in. (21.6 × 31.8 × 20.3 cm); H x W x D (.4a, Shoe (left)): 5 1/4 × 3 3/8 × 9 3/8 in. (13.3 × 8.6 × 23.8 cm); H x W x D (.4b, Shoe (right)): 5 1/4 × 3 1/8 × 9 3/8 in. (13.3 × 7.9 × 23.8 cm)

Type: bikinis (underwear); brassieres; pumps (shoes); sheath dresses

Place used: Oakland, Alameda County, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1992

Description: A costume worn by Dawn Robinson of En Vogue for the music video “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” (1992) comprised of a dress (.1), a bra (.2), a pair of bikini briefs (.3), and a pair of shoes (.4ab).; Dress (.1): Mini-length shift dress made of small (1/4-inch) interlocking silver metal octagonal discs. The dress is sleeveless, with a deep v-neck front bodice. The back bodice is open, with one (1) straight 2-inch strap running horizontally across the mid-back above a triangular cut-out. The dress is not lined.; Bra (.2): Metallic silver bra in an underwire demi cup style with adjustable straps and an adjustable hook-and-eye back closure. The bra is not lined.; Bikini briefs (.3): Metallic silver bikini style briefs. The briefs are not lined.; Shoes (.4ab): Pair of metallic silver open-toed high-heeled shoes. The vamp has a crisscrossing swirled pattern over the top of the front of the foot. A t-strap style closure connects the vamp to the heel cap. The straps close with a metal snap and have a decorative silver buckle. The curved heels have a black rubber bottom. A cream non-slip rubber pad is adhered to the front half of the soles.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Popular music; Singers (Musicians); Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of En Vogue

Object number: 2014.189.8.1-.4ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Costume

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Costume worn by Maxine Jones in “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” video

Designed by: Flynn, Danny
Worn by: Jones, Maxine, American, born 1962
Subject of: En Vogue, American, founded 1989

Medium: Dress: aluminum mesh; Bra: Polyester fiber, polyurethane and metal (underwire); Bikini briefs: nylon and spandex; Shoes: leather, plastic, rubber and metal
Dimensions: H x W (.1, Dress, flat): 29 × 19 1/2 in. (73.7 × 49.5 cm); H x W x D (.1, dress, on form): 28 × 12 3/4 × 10 in. (71.1 × 32.4 × 25.4 cm); H x W (.2, Bra, flat): 10 1/4 × 14 in. (26 × 35.6 cm); H x W x D (.2, Bra, on form): 9 1/4 × 10 × 9 in. (23.5 × 25.4 × 22.9 cm); H x W (.3, Bikini briefs, flat): 8 × 10 3/4 in. (20.3 × 27.3 cm); H x W x D (.3, Bikini briefs, on form): 8 1/2 × 12 1/2 × 8 in. (21.6 × 31.8 × 20.3 cm); H x W x D (.4a, Shoe (left)): 5 1/4 × 3 1/4 × 9 3/4 in. (13.3 × 8.3 × 24.8 cm); H x W x D (.4b, Shoe (right)): 5 1/4 × 3 1/8 × 9 3/4 in. (13.3 × 7.9 × 24.8 cm)

Type: bikinis (underwear); brassieres; pumps (shoes); sheath dresses

Place used: Oakland, Alameda County, California, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1992

Description: A costume worn by Maxine Jones of En Vogue for the music video “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)” (1992) comprised of a dress (.1), a bra (.2), a pair of bikini briefs (.3), and a pair of shoes (.4ab).; Dress (.1): Mini-length shift dress made of small (1/4-inch) interlocking silver metal octagonal discs. The dress is sleeveless, with a v-neck front and back bodice. The dress is not lined.; Bra (.2): Metallic silver bra in an underwire demi cup style with adjustable straps and an adjustable hook-and-eye back closure. The bra is not lined.; Bikini briefs (.3): Metallic silver bikini style briefs. The briefs are not lined.; Shoes (.4ab): Pair of metallic silver open-toed high-heeled shoes. The vamp has a crisscrossing swirled pattern over the top of the front of the foot. A t-strap style closure connects the vamp to the heel cap. The straps close with a metal snap and have a decorative silver buckle. The curved heels are a dark tan and have a black rubber bottom. A cream non-slip rubber pad is adhered to the front half of the soles. Thin foam padding is adhered to the insoles of the toes.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Popular music; Singers (Musicians); Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of En Vogue

Object number: 2014.189.9.1-.4ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Costume

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Movin' On Up

Autobiography of Mahalia Jackson

Written by: Jackson, Mahalia, American, 1911 - 1972; McLeod Wylie, Evan, American, born 1916
Subject of: Jackson, Mahalia, American, 1911 - 1972
Signed by: Jackson, Mahalia, American, 1911 - 1972
Published by: Hawthorn Books, Inc., American

Medium: Ink on paper, cardboard
Dimensions: H x W: 9 5/16 × 6 1/4 × 1 in. (23.7 × 15.9 × 2.5 cm)

Type: autobiographies

Place made: United States, North and Central America

Date: 1968

Description: Hardback copy of "Movin' on up" with a paper book cover. Paper book cover is burgundy with red and blue type, reading [The warmly personal story of America's favorite gospel singer/Mahalia Jackson/ with Evan McLeod Wylie/Movin' on up]. Front cover has a depiction of Mahalia Jackson in a white short sleeve shirt, with white beads sewn in flower patterns. Jackson holds her hands clasped in front of her chest, looking up towards her right. The reverse of the paper book cover is white with burgundy type and contains a series of excerpted passages from the autobiography. The text begins thus: [MAHALIA JACKSON tells of her life and times.../"I don't believe in God myself," a reporter told me, "but when you/sing it gives me goose pimples." "That's not goose pimples," I/told him. "That's your soul speaking and you don't even know/ it's there!"]. Mahalia Jackson signed the first page (opposite interior cover) in blue ink, reading [May the Love of God keep/you always in Christ/Mahalia Jackson] in script. Interior pages are white with black type. 212 pages.

Topic: African American; Civil Rights; Gospel (Music); Identity; Singers (Musicians); Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Paul & Claire Blumenfeld

Object number: 2014.141.2

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

Harry Belafonte confers with Mrs. Coretta Scott King while seated next to Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. and Mrs Alberta King

Photograph by: Henry, Horace C., American, born 1948
Subject of: Belafonte, Harry Jr., American, born 1927; King, Coretta Scott, American, 1927 - 2006; Rev. King, Martin Luther Sr, American, 1899 - 1984; King, Alberta, American, 1904 - 1974; Unidentified Woman or Women; Unidentified Man or Men; Ebenezer Baptist Church, American, founded 1886

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm)

Type: inkjet prints

Place depicted: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 15, 1969; printed 2011

Caption: Harry Belafonte confers with Mrs. Coretta Scott King while seated next to Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. and Mrs. Alberta King. Dr. King's parents were affectionally [sic] known as "Mama King" and "Daddy King".
Description: This black and white photograph shows Harry Belafonte speaking with Coretta Scott King, who is looking at the camera, inside of Ebenezer Baptist Church for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday commemoration in 1969. They are seated next to Martin Luther King Sr. and Alberta King who are holding programs. Other attendees can be seen in the background. The background is not in focus but media equipment and the stained glass windows are still visible. The back of the photograph has a manufacturer's mark, and handwritten and printer's inscriptions.

Topic: African American; Actors; Civil Rights; Photography; Religion; Singers (Musicians); United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Horace C. Henry

Object number: 2011.94.11

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series: One Day in January: A Collection of Images Taken at Dr. King’s First Memorial Service
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Press Coverage of First Birthday Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Photograph by: Henry, Horace C., American, born 1948
Subject of: King, Coretta Scott, American, 1927 - 2006; Belafonte, Harry Jr., American, born 1927; Unidentified Man or Men; Unidentified Woman or Women; Rev. King, Martin Luther Sr, American, 1899 - 1984; King, Alberta, American, 1904 - 1974
Printed by: Unidentified
Subject of: Ebenezer Baptist Church, American, founded 1886

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 11 x 14 in. (27.9 x 35.6 cm)

Type: inkjet prints

Place depicted: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 15, 1969; printed 2011

Caption: Notice the press covering the program as Mrs. King is surrounded by family members and friends. I have been told that there are very few recorded and published images from this first birthday celebration which make the photographs that you are seeing here extremely rare. I've seen no others.
Description: This black and white photograph shows the King family seated inside Ebenezer Baptist Church for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday commemoration in 1969. Coretta Scott King is seated in the center of the photograph. Harry Belafonte is seated to the proper left of King and there is an unidentified woman to the proper left of Belafonte. To the other side of Coretta Scott King, Alberta and Martin Luther King Sr. are seated. There are unidentified men behind the family along with press and their equipment. The back of the photograph has a manufacturer's mark, and handwritten and printer's inscriptions.

Topic: African American; Actors; Civil Rights; Photography; Religion; Singers (Musicians); United States--History--1961-1969

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Horace C. Henry

Object number: 2011.94.27

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Portfolio/Series: One Day in January: A Collection of Images Taken at Dr. King’s First Memorial Service
Classification: Media Arts-Photography

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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