NMAAHC Collections Search

Black "Sex" jumpsuit owned by James Brown

Created by: Unidentified
Owned by: Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium: wool, metal
Dimensions: H x W: 61 x 28 in. (154.9 x 71.1 cm)

Type: costume

Date: 1970-1989

Description: A black wool jumpsuit with sequined embellishments along the collar and waist. The letter "J" is spelled out with five sequined beads along the front of the collar. Each shoulder has six sequined beads along the top. The word "SEX" spelled out using sequined beads along the mid-section. The word is inside an oval that is also made using sequined beads. A zipper runs down the back.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Funk (Music); Sexuality; Soul (Music)

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

Object number: 2008.7.4

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

Broadside for the House of Blues featuring a concert by James Brown and others

Created by: Unidentified
Owned by: Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006
Subject of: House of Blues Chicago; The Blues Brothers, American, founded 1976; Dan Aykroyd, Canadian, born 1952; James Belushi, American, born 1954; John Goodman, American, born 1952; Hayes, Isaac, American, 1942 - 2008; Charlie Musslewhite, American, born 1944; Joe Walsh, American, born 1947; Lonnie Brooks, American, born 1933; Shaffer, Paul, born 1949; Billy Boy Arnold, American, born 1935; Moore, Sam, American, born 1935; Sly Thompson; Eddie Floyd, American, born 1937; Billy Branch, American, born 1951; Magic Slim, American, 1937 - 2013
Created by: The Second City, American, founded 1959

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 22 1/2 × 17 1/2 in. (57.2 × 44.4 cm)

Type: broadsides

Date: 1996

Description: A broadside of the grand opening of House of Blues Chicago. The broadside is blue, yellow and pink with black text. Black musical clefs and stars are on both sides of the broadside. James Brown and His Orchestra are featured as headlining act to perform at the opening. The location and telephone number for the restaurant are listed at the bottom of the broadside. At the bottom of the broadside written in black text is “In Blues We Trust.”

Topic: African American; Actors; Communication; Funk (Music); Soul (Music)

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

Object number: 2008.7.13

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Hammond B-3 organ owned by James Brown

Manufactured by: Hammond Suzuki USA, Inc., American, founded 1934; Trek II Products, Inc., American
Owned by: Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium: vinyl, wood, metal
Dimensions: H x W: 40 x 50 x 30 in. (101.6 x 127 x 76.2 cm)

Type: electronic organs; musical instruments

Place made: Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1968

Description: A Hammond B-3 electric organ. The organ is covered in black vinyl and trimmed with silver roping. Stitched on the back of the organ in red vinyl and brass colored metal rivets is "God ~ father." The organ has two keyboards with both preset and manual keys, a folding top and a single foot pedal. Electrical outlets are on the back of the organ at its base.

Topic: African American; Funk (Music); Soul (Music)

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

Object number: 2008.7.1.1abc

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Leslie speaker cabinet owned by James Brown

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

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Advertisement for the record album Hot On the One

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; Business; Communication; 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

See more items in: 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

Broadside for a James Brown concert in Cologne at the Blue Moon Jazz Festival

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; Communication; 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

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

Poster of James Brown

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

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

Broadside for a James Brown concert in Shanghai

Printed by: Unidentified
Distributed by: China West Entertainment, 2004 - 2009
Owned by: Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 22 1/4 x 16 1/2 in. (56.5 x 41.9 cm)

Type: broadsides

Place used: Shanghai, China, Asia

Date: 2006

Description: A broadside advertising a James Brown concert in Shanghai. The broadside is black with blue and white text in both English and Chinese. A color image of James Brown is on the left side of the broadside. He is wearing a green sequined jacket, green pants and a green shirt and singing into a microphone. The text at the top of the broadside says “JAMES / BROWN / Live!” The date and location of the concert is on the right side of the broadside as well as ticketing information. Hotel and promoter logos are on the bottom of the broadside.

Topic: African American; Communication; Funk (Music); Soul (Music)

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

Object number: 2008.7.15

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Poster featuring James Brown in a black suit and bowtie

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

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

Broadside advertisement for a James Brown concert at the Nippon Budokan

Created by: Unidentified
Owned by: Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006
Subject of: Nippon Budokan, Japanese, founded 1964

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 14 1/4 x 20 1/4 in. (36.2 x 51.4 cm)

Type: portraits; broadsides

Place used: Tokyo, Kanto, Japan, Asia

Date: 1992-1993

Description: A broadside featuring an image of James Brown with Japanese text. James Brown is on the left side of the broadside. He is wearing a silver colored suit with a burgundy shirt. He right arm is raised and he is pointing with his right hand. He is singing and a microphone can be seen next to him. On the bottom left side of broadside written in yellow text over the bottom of the image of James Brown is “Come on JB!” Yellow and white Japanese text is on the right side of the broadside. Several phone numbers for ticketing agencies are listed.

Topic: African American; Communication; Funk (Music); Soul (Music)

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

Object number: 2008.7.17

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Menu from Stubbs BBQ advertising a James Brown concert

Created by: Stubb's BBQ, American, founded 1968
Subject of: Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium: ink on cardboard
Dimensions: H x W: 17 1/4 x 12 3/8 in. (43.8 x 31.4 cm)

Type: portraits; menus

Place used: Austin, Travis County, Texas, United States, North and central America

Date: 2006

Description: A cardboard menu from Stubbs BBQ, advertising a James Brown concert. Recto features an image of a young James Brown on a yellow background with red and black text. At top center written in yellow text “JAMES BROWN” surrounded by red flames. On the top left side written in black ink is “MAY 10 – STUBB’S.” Below this is several of James Brown’s nicknames written in red and black text. Verso features a list of food, beverages and prices offered at Stubb’s BBQ.

Topic: African American; Communication; Cooking and dining; Funk (Music); Soul (Music)

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

Object number: 2008.7.18

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Broadside for a James Brown concert at Lowell Memorial Auditorium

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

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

Broadside for a James Brown concert at The Showbox

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

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

Business contract between Third World Music and Editions Intro Meisel

Written by: Edition Intro Meisel GmbH, German, founded 1966
Signed by: Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006
Subject of: Third World Music, American

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

Type: contracts

Date: July 1, 1984

Description: An eight page typewritten contract dated July 1, 1984, between Third World Music and Editions Intro Meisel. The contract has seventeen terms and conditions on seven pages. It is signed on page seven by James Brown in black ink. The pages are fastened together with a metal staple.

Topic: African American; Business; Communication; Funk (Music); Soul (Music)

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

Object number: 2008.7.21

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Handwritten lyrics for "Everybody's Got a Thing" by James Brown

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

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

Signed guitar and case owned by James Brown

Manufactured by: Epiphone Guitar Corp., American, founded 1873; TKL Products Corp., American, founded 1984
Owned by: Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium: Guitar: maple, spruce, rosewood, metal, plastic, paper, ink; Guitar case: 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

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Musical Instruments

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Red suit owned by James Brown

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

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

Black cape owned by James Brown

Created by: Unidentified
Owned by: Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium: silk, satin, plastic
Dimensions: H x W (2008.7.5a): 53 × 42 in. (134.6 × 106.7 cm); 2008.7.5b: 4 3/4 × 3 9/16 × 1 3/16 in. (12 × 9 × 3 cm)

Type: capes (outerwear)

Date: 1970-1989

Description: A black silk satin, full-length cape with intricate beadwork on the collar. "James Brown" is also embroidered in the collar. Also included is a black circle button with a plastic silver bead and three small black tassels attached to it. The button was attached to the front, left side of the cape at chest high.

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: 2008.7.5ab

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

Poster for the album Living in America by James Brown

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; Communication; 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

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

Photograph of James Brown sitting in a chair, waving with his left hand

Photograph by: Unidentified
Owned by: Brown, James, American, 1933 - 2006

Medium: dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 23 15/16 x 20 in. (60.8 x 50.8 cm)

Type: chromogenic color prints; portraits

Date: ca. 1985

Description: A color photographic print of James Brown. He is wearing a blue jumpsuit with red trim and sitting down. He has a large pendant on a gold chain around his neck. A towel is on his right knee. His right hand is resting on the towel. His left arm is raised above his head and he is waving.

Topic: African American; Funk (Music); Photography; Soul (Music)

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

Object number: 2008.7.7

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

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