Manufactured by

Unidentified

Subject of

Wonder, Stevie, American, born 1950

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 2 × 5 1/2 in. (5.1 × 14 cm)

Type

tickets

Place depicted

Japan, Asia

Date

1981

Description

A ticket for a 1981 performance by Stevie Wonder in Japan. The front of the ticket is predominantly blue in color with a small horizontal strip of white beneath the larger blue block; within the blue block is a line of large black text which reads [STEVIE WONDER]. The other text is written in Japanese characters with cardinal numbers. To the left of the ticket's main body is a perforated edge with the ticket stub is still attached. The stub is white with black text. The back of the ticket has additional information in black text on white paper. A partial stamp is visible on the left side.

Topic

African American

Funk (Music)

Instrumentalists (Musicians)

Motown (Music)

Rhythm and blues (Music)

Singers (Musicians)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2016.68.3

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

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 by

Spitzer, David D., American

Subject of

James, Etta, American, 1938 - 2012

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 13 11/16 x 9 5/16 in. (34.8 x 23.6 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 13 3/4 x 10 7/8 in. (35 x 27.6 cm)

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

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, United States, North and Central America

Date

1991

Description

A black-and-white photograph of Etta James singing at a performance in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is wearing a black dress, holding the microphone with her left hand, and her right hand is raised above her head.

Topic

African American

Blues (Music)

Jazz (Music)

Photography

Singers (Musicians)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David D. Spitzer

Object number

2012.164.13

Restrictions & Rights

© David D. Spitzer

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Spitzer, David D., American

Subject of

Peterson, Lucky, American, born 1964

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 13 11/16 x 9 7/16 in. (34.7 x 24 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 13 11/16 x 10 13/16 in. (34.7 x 27.4 cm)

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

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, United States, North and Central America

Date

1994

Description

A black-and-white photograph of Lucky Peterson playing guitar at a performance in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. There is sweat on his forehead and his eyes are closed. He is wearing a white sleeveless shirt, and a necklace. His guitar strap says "LUCKY."

Topic

African American

Blues (Music)

Gospel (Music)

Instrumentalists (Musicians)

Photography

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David D. Spitzer

Object number

2012.164.14

Restrictions & Rights

© David D. Spitzer

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Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Spitzer, David D., American

Subject of

White, Lavelle, American, born 1929

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 13 3/4 x 10 3/16 in. (35 x 25.9 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 13 3/4 x 10 13/16 in. (35 x 27.5 cm)

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

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, United States, North and Central America

Date

1992

Description

A black-and-white photograph of Lavelle White singing at a corded microphone during a performance in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is wearing a dress and two necklaces, one of which has a heart on it. She is also wearing a light bow in her hair.

Topic

African American

Blues (Music)

Photography

Singers (Musicians)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David D. Spitzer

Object number

2012.164.44

Restrictions & Rights

© David D. Spitzer

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Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Spitzer, David D., American

Subject of

Shaw, Marlena, American, born 1942

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 13 11/16 x 9 7/16 in. (34.8 x 24 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 13 15/16 x 10 9/16 in. (35.4 x 26.9 cm)

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

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

Hollywood, Broward County, Florida, United States, North and Central America

Date

1990

Description

A black-and-white photograph of singer Marlena Shaw performing in Hollywood, FL. Shaw is photographed from a slightly low angle but is facing the camera. She holds a microphone in her right hand and her left hand, which holds a cloth, rests on top of the mic stand. She wears a black and sequined dress, numerous rings, and a necklace with a large cross on it.

Topic

African American

Blues (Music)

Jazz (Music)

Photography

Singers (Musicians)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David D. Spitzer

Object number

2012.164.90

Restrictions & Rights

© David D. Spitzer

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Spitzer, David D., American

Subject of

Fran, Carol, American, born 1933

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 13 3/4 x 9 3/8 in. (35 x 23.8 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 13 3/4 x 10 13/16 in. (35 x 27.5 cm)

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

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date

1992

Description

A black-and-white photograph of Carol Fran singing into a microphone and playing piano during a performance in Charlotte, NC. Her eyes are closed and her mouth is open. She is wearing a dark longsleeve outfit and is wearing earrings.

Topic

African American

Blues (Music)

Composers (Musicians)

Instrumentalists (Musicians)

Photography

Singers (Musicians)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David D. Spitzer

Object number

2012.164.41

Restrictions & Rights

© David D. Spitzer

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Spitzer, David D., American

Subject of

Bobby "Blue" Bland, American, 1930 - 2013

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 9 5/8 x 13 11/16 in. (24.5 x 34.8 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 10 5/8 x 13 7/8 in. (27 x 35.2 cm)

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

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, North and Central America

Date

1989

Description

A black-and-white photograph of blues and soul singer Bobby "Blue" Bland performing in Miami, FL. Bland holds a microphone in front of his mouth and has his eyes closed while singing. He wears a light cloth cap and button up collared shirt.

Topic

African American

Blues (Music)

Photography

Singers (Musicians)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David D. Spitzer

Object number

2012.164.56

Restrictions & Rights

© David D. Spitzer

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

CBS Broadcasting, Inc., American, founded 1927

Owned by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium

wood, vinyl, metal, glass

Dimensions

42 × 29 × 21 in. (106.7 × 73.7 × 53.3 cm)

Type

loudspeakers

Place made

Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1968

Description

A Leslie type 122 speaker cabinet covered in black vinyl and trimmed with silver roping. Red vinyl letters outlined with brass colored metal rivets form the letters “J B” on the front of the speaker. The speaker is on four wheels and is open on the lower back. The speaker is accompanied by vinyl cover.

Topic

African American

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2008.7.1.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Musical Instruments

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Printed by

Unidentified

Distributed by

Polydor Records, German, founded 1924

Owned by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 40 x 12 1/4 in. (101.6 x 31.1 cm)

Type

portraits

posters

Date

1980

Description

A hanging advertisement for the record album "hot on the one” by James Brown. The advertisement is made up of two record sleeves with a white card with yellow text attached between them. The two sleeves and card are attached with a black strip of fabric. The two sleeves are for the album being advertised. They both feature a color picture of James Brown in profile and have “JAMES BROWN…LIVE” in white text across the top. Below this text is smaller, red text is “HOT ON THE ONE.” The white card hanging between them features a yellow image of James Brown on the right side. Written in yellow and black text is “LE RETOUR DE / ‘JAMES BROWN’ / UNE SERiE DE CONCERTS PRESTiGiEUX.” At the bottom of the card written in black text is “double album live/ HOT ON THE ONE.”

Topic

African American

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2008.7.11

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

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

Printed by

Unidentified

Owned by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Subject of

Tanzbrunnen, German, founded 1929

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 46 7/8 x 33 3/16 in. (119.1 x 84.3 cm)

Type

portraits

broadsides

Place used

Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Europe

Date

2001

Description

A large broadside advertising a James Brown concert at the Blue moon Jazz festival in Cologne, Germany. The broadside features a color image of James Brown wearing a purple jacket and pants leaning against a concrete block in front of a building. “JAMES BROWN / The Godfather of Soul” is printed in purple text across the top. Below this is the name of the jazz festival and the date the festival occurred written in German. The left side of the broadside has several logos for ticket vendors and event coordinators. Printed in yellow text at the bottom of the broadside is a list of additional acts performing at the festival as well as contact information for the festival organizers.

Topic

African American

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2008.7.12

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Owned by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 22 1/16 × 16 15/16 in. (56 × 43 cm)

Type

portraits

posters

Date

ca. 1975

Description

A white poster with an image James Brown. He is wearing large orange flamed glasses a blue pinstriped jacket and pants with a white shirt underneath. He is also wearing a multicolored scarf around his neck. He is standing with his right leg on the seat of a gold colored metal bench with a blue cushion. His right hand is resting on his right knee. His left hand is holding onto the left side of the bench. Printed in gold cursive lettering below the image is “James Brown.” Printed in black text at the bottom of the page is “THE GODFATHER OF SOUL.”

Topic

African American

Communication

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2008.7.14

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Owned by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 20 1/16 × 18 1/2 in. (51 × 47 cm)

Type

portraits

posters

Date

ca. 1980

Description

A poster with an image of James Brown standing with outstretched arms at center. His hands are turned upward and he is smiling. James Brown is wearing a black bowtie, white shirt, black pants and black shoes. He is standing in front of a light yellow background.

Topic

African American

Communication

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2008.7.16

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Distributed by

Big World Productions, American

Owned by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Subject of

Lowell Memorial Auditorium, American, founded 1922

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 17 × 11 in. (43.2 × 28 cm)

Type

portraits

broadsides

Place used

Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America

Date

2003

Description

A black-and-white broadside for a James Brown concert at Lowell Memorial Auditorium. The broadside has white lettering at top that reads “BIG WORLD PRODUCTIONS presents / LOWELL / MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM / FRIDAY JANUARY 17 / 8:00pm / The Godfather of Soul.” At the center of the broadside is an image of James Brown singing with his eyes closed. He is holding a microphone close to his mouth with his right hand. Written below the image in gray text is “James / BROWN.” At the bottom of the page are telephone numbers for Ticketmaster and the box office. Big World Production’s logo and web address is also at the bottom.

Topic

African American

Communication

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2008.7.19

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Designed by

Chantry, Art, American, founded 1954

Owned by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Subject of

The Showbox, American, founded 1939

Modern Productions, American, founded 1979

Modern Enterprises, LLC, American, founded 1979

KYAC, American, 1965-1981

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 17 × 10 11/16 in. (43.2 × 27.2 cm)

Type

broadsides

Place used

Seattle, King County, Washington, United States, North and Central America

Date

1980

Description

A broadside advertising a James Brown concert at The Showbox. The broadside is white with a black-and-white image of a young James Brown in profile and black-and-white text. The image of James Brown is on the left side of the poster. The text on the right side of the poster reads “”MODERN PRODUCTIONS / & 1250 KYAC WELCOME / THE ONE AND ONLY / JAMES / BROWN / NOVEMBER 16…” The time ticket price address and name of the venue and multiple locations of where tickets can be purchased are also included. A company logo for Modern Enterprises is in the lower right corner.

Topic

African American

Communication

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2008.7.20

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W (2008.7.22a): 13 × 8 1/2 in. (33 × 21.6 cm)

H x W (2008.7.22b): 13 × 8 1/2 in. (33 × 21.6 cm)

Type

songs

Date

1992

Description

Two pages of handwritten lyrics to the song "Everybody's Got a Thing" written by James Brown on yellow legal paper. The title is written in black ink while the song lyrics and chorus are written in blue ink. Each page has writing only on one side.

Topic

African American

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2008.7.22ab

Restrictions & Rights

© James Brown. Permission required for use.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Epiphone Guitar Corp., American, founded 1873

TKL Products Corp., American, founded 1984

Owned by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium

a: maple, spruce, rosewood, metal, plastic, paper, ink;

b: plastic, metal, cloth

Dimensions

guitar: 41 1/2 × 16 3/4 × 4 7/8 in. (105.4 × 42.5 × 12.4 cm)

guitar case: 46 × 19 1/4 × 6 3/8 in. (116.8 × 48.9 × 16.2 cm)

Type

cases (containers)

musical instruments

guitars

Place made

South Korea, Asia

Date

2002

Description

An Epiphone guitar and a TKL Products Corp. case owned by James Brown. The six-string acoustic guitar is Epiphone model EJ-200NA and has a maple body and a spruce top and neck. The guitar also features gold colored metal hardware and a set maple neck with a crown inlay on a rosewood fingerboard. The serial number of the guitar is Y207183. The guitar is inscribed and signed by several famous individuals in black permanent marker on the front, sides and back of the body. All of the messages are to James Brown and offer praise and thanks. Two of the individuals who signed the guitar are Casey Kasem and Ozzy Osbourne.

The guitar case is black with a black cloth lined interior. The clasp and hinges are made of brass colored metal. The TKL Products Corp. logo is on the outside of the case next to the handle. A logo is also on the inside of the case next to the top hinge where the guitar’s neck would be placed.

Topic

African American

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2008.7.2ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Musical Instruments

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Owned by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium

synthetic fiber

Dimensions

H x W (2008.7.3.1): 59 1/2 × 56 1/2 in. (151.1 × 143.5 cm)

H x W (2008.7.3.2): 41 1/2 × 23 1/4 in. (105.4 × 59.1 cm)

Type

Costume

Date

1970-1989

Description

A red jumpsuit with a red vest worn by James Brown. The jumpsuit (2008.7.3.1) is red with long sleeves. The sleeves have geometric square patterns from shoulder to cuff in gold printed fabric. The vest (2008.7.3.2) is knee length and has two geometric square patterns running vertically on the front. It also has two buttons and a plunging collar. The designs begin at hem of the vest and extend to where the cuffs of the jumpsuit would begin when worn.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2008.7.3.1-.2

Restrictions & Rights

No known copyright restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Printed by

Unidentified

Owned by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium

canvas

Dimensions

H x W: 23 7/8 x 35 7/8 in. (60.6 x 91.1 cm)

Type

portraits

posters

Date

1985-1986

Description

Canvas poster for the album “Living in America” by James Brown. The poster has a white background with a blue border. On the left side of the poster is an American flag. At the bottom left is “LIVIN IN AMERICA” in blue and white lettering. The right side of the poster features a portrait of a young James Brown in profile.

Topic

African American

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2008.7.6

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Muhammad Ali, Jesus, American, born 1949

Printed by

J M A Master Prints Incorporated, American

Owned by

Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 27 15/16 x 22 in. (71 x 55.9 cm)

Type

portraits

posters

Date

1991

Description

A color poster of a painting of James Brown. He is wearing a purple shirt and a brown jacket. He is looking upward at a star filled night sky and smiling. The poster has a white border. Written in black text at the bottom of the poster is “The Godfather of SOUL” and “Brother James to All.” The artists signature and copyright information is printed on the bottom right corner of the poster.

Topic

African American

Funk (Music)

Soul (Music)

Credit Line

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

Object number

2008.7.8

Restrictions & Rights

© Jesus Muhammad-Ali. Permission required for use.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture