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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

Letter from Carl Fischer Inc. to Hall Johnson regarding Johnson's contract

Written by: Saenger, Gustav, 1865 - 1935
Received by: Johnson, Hall, American, 1888 - 1970
Subject of: Carl Fischer, Inc., American, founded 1872

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

Type: letters (correspondence)

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

Date: April 19, 1935

Description: A letter from Carl Fischer, Inc. to Hall Johnson dated April 19, 1935. The letter is written in black type on white paper. The letterhead on the piece of paper reads: [CABLE "CARFISCHER NEW YORK" / TELEPHONE SPRING 7-0900 / CARL FISCHER, INC. / MUSIC PUBLISHERS / Oxford University Press Music / Composers' Music Corporation / COOPER SQUARE / NEW YORK]. The content of the letter discusses Hall Johnson's contract with the company and edits that could be made to Johnson's song I Cannot Stay Here By Myself. The letter was sent by Carl Fischer, Inc. editor Gustav Saenger. The back of the letter is blank.

Topic: African American; Business; Composers (Musicians); Instrumentalists (Musicians); Spirituals (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Dr. Eugene Thamon Simpson, Representative, Hall Johnson Estate

Object number: TA2013.166.9.2

Restrictions & Rights: © Hall Johnson Estate

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: The Hall Johnson Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials; Archival Collections
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

Royalty Statement for Hall Johnson

Written by: G. Schirmer, Inc., American, founded 1861
Received by: Johnson, Hall, American, 1888 - 1970

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 9 1/2 × 8 in. (24.1 × 20.3 cm)

Type: invoices

Place depicted: 634 Saint Nicholas Avenue Apt. 4D, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date: December 1, 1967

Description: Typed royalty statement from G. Schirmer, Inc. for composer and instrumentalist Hall Johnson. The statement, dated December 1, 1967, is on white paper with black type. The statement lists twenty-one titles for which Hall Johnson receives royalties and lists each title's net sales, rate per copy, and amount. The total amount of royalties listed is $928.93. The back of the statement is blank.

Topic: African American; Business; Composers (Musicians); Instrumentalists (Musicians); Spirituals (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Dr. Eugene Thamon Simpson, Representative, Hall Johnson Estate

Object number: TA2013.166.9.3

Restrictions & Rights: © Hall Johnson Estate

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: The Hall Johnson Collection
Classification: Archival Collections; 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

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

American Spirituals

Published by: Sonora Radio & Television Corp., American, founded 1942
Recorded by: Spencer, Kenneth, American, 1913 - 1964

Medium: vinyl , ink on cardboard , paper
Dimensions: H x W x D: 10 1/4 x 12 1/4 x 3/4 in. (26 x 31.1 x 1.9 cm)

Type: long-playing records

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

Date: 1945

Description: An album titled American Spirituals by Kenneth Spencer, Sonora, MS 478. The album contains four LPs, (2011.21.4a-d).; 2011.21.4a-d: Four records from the American Spirituals set. Each record has a red Sonora label with gold lettering at center. Each label has the songs for that side and the Sonora logo.; 2011.21.4e: The album jacket cover is pink with black print. Depicted on the jacket, is a chariot drawn by four white horses racing past an angel blowing a trumpet.; 2011.4f: The album also contains a paper holder for all four LPs. The paper holder has four sections held together by binding on the proper right edge.

Topic: African American; Spirituals (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Arthur Tyrill Farrell Family

Object number: 2011.21.4a-f

Restrictions & Rights: © Sonora Records/ RCA Victor Records. Permission required for use.

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

The Story of the Jubilee Singers: With Their Songs

Written by: Marsh, J. B. T., American, 1840 - 1887
Subject of: Fisk Jubilee Singers, American, founded 1871

Medium: ink on paper with cardboard
Dimensions: H x W x D: 7 5/8 x 5 1/8 x 1 3/16 in. (19.4 x 13 x 3 cm)

Type: hardcover books

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

Date: 1883

Description: A hardcover book titled “The Story of the Jubilee Singers: With Their Songs” written by J. B. T. Marsh. The cover is blue with black text. A black floral pattern is on the bottom half of the cover. A gold depiction of Jubilee Hall at Fisk University is at center.

Topic: African American; Education; Folk (Music); Reconstruction (United States History, 1865-1877); Singers (Musicians); Spirituals (Music); United States--History--1865-1921

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

Object number: 2010.34.1

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Pilate! Pilate!

Sheet music for the Pilate! Pilate! chorus of the Son of Man cantata

Composed by: Johnson, Hall, American, 1888 - 1970

Medium: ink and graphite on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 10 13/16 × 7 11/16 in. (27.5 × 19.5 cm)

Type: sheet music

Date: ca. 1946

Description: A Hall Johnson Negro Choir sheet music score in black ink and graphite on paper. This is a copy of a handwritten version of the sheet music. The top of the page reads [Page 1 Insert for “Pilate! Pilate!” H. Johnson]. The bottom of the sheet music reads: [Not for Sale. For use in Hall Johnson rehearsals Only. / H. J.]. There are notations in pencil throughout the sheet. The top right corner and bottom edge is stained. The object has additional bars of music on the reverse side.

Topic: African American; Religion; Spirituals (Music)

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

Object number: 2010.59.1

Restrictions & Rights: © Carl Fischer Inc. Permission required for use.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music
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

Oh! Reign Massa Jesus Reign

Black and white photograph and vinyl record of the Fisk Jubilee Singers

Recorded by: Fisk Jubilee Singers, American, founded 1871
Created by: Columbia Records, American, founded 1888
Subject of: Thomas, Benjamin W.; Loudin, Frederick J., 1836 - 1904; Sheppard, Ella, American, 1851 - 1915; Alexander, Hinton D., American; Rutling, Thomas, American, born 1854; Porter, Maggie L., American, born 1853; Jackson, Jennie; Jackson, Julia, American, died 1890; Gordon, Georgia, American, 1855 - 1913; Robinson, America W.

Medium: mat board with photographic materials , vinyl
Dimensions: H x W (in frame): 15 × 22 × 1 in. (38.1 × 55.9 × 2.5 cm); H x W (black and white photograph): 5 3/4 × 9 in. (14.6 × 22.9 cm); Diameter (vinyl): 9 15/16 in. (25.2 cm)

Type: frames (furnishings); photographs; 78 rpm records

Date: 1870s; ca. 1909

Description: A framed black-and-white photograph and vinyl record. Both are framed in white matting. The black-and-white photograph is positioned above the record.; 2010.59.2a: The black-and-white photograph depicts a group of four men and five women in early 1900s attire. Some of the men and women sit, while other stand. The photograph was taken in the 1870s.; 2010.59.2b: The black vinyl 78 rpm record is below the photographic print. It has a blue Columbia label in its center which reads: [Oh! Reign Massa Jesus Reign / Sung by / Fisk University Jubilee Singers / A2901 / 78901]. Additional writing detailing the price, music type, and the maker is also on the label. [78901] is etched into the vinyl.

Topic: African American; Education; Photography; Spirituals (Music)

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

Object number: 2010.59.2ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Audio Recordings; Media Arts-Photography
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Published by: Columbia Records, American, founded 1888
Recorded by: Robeson, Paul, American, 1898 - 1976

Medium: vinyl , ink on cardboard , paper
Dimensions: H x W x D: 10 3/4 x 12 1/2 x 3/4 in. (27.3 x 31.8 x 1.9 cm)

Type: long-playing records

Date: 1949

Description: An album titled Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, by Paul Robeson, Columbia Masterworks, MM 819. The album contains four LPs, (2011.21.3a-d).; 2011.21.3a-d: Four records from the Swing Low, Sweet Chariot set. Each record has a blue Columbia Masterworks label with silver lettering at center. Each label has the songs for that side and the Columbia logo.; 2011.21.4e: The album jacket cover is red cardboard with black and white print. The cover depicts a pair of hands reaching towards the top of the cover to a smaller depiction of a church.; 2011.4f: The album also contains a paper holder for all four LPs. The paper holder has four sections held together by binding on the proper right edge. Red writing on the cover reads: [Size 10 - Record / Speed - 78].

Topic: African American; Singers (Musicians); Spirituals (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Arthur Tyrill Farrell Family

Object number: 2011.21.3a-f

Restrictions & Rights: © 1949 Columbia Records. Permission required for use.

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Spirituals in Concert

Published by: Deutsche Grammophon, German, founded 1898
Recorded by: Battle, Kathleen, American, born 1948; Norman, Jessye Mae, American, born 1945

Medium: magnetic tape, plastic, paper
Dimensions: H x W x D (audio cassette): 2 1/2 × 4 1/16 × 1/2 in. (6.4 × 10.3 × 1.3 cm); H x W x D (case): 4 5/16 × 2 3/4 × 11/16 in. (11 × 7 × 1.7 cm)

Type: audio cassettes

Date: 1991

Description: A cassette tape of Spirituals in Concert recorded by Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman.; (2016.68.2a): A translucent black cassette tape with white type. It reads [SPIRITUALS IN CONCERT: Kathleen Battle • Jessye Norman • James Levine / (see insert for program)] above the window on both sides. Production information is below the window on both sides; (2016.68.2b): The interior paper is folded to fit to the clear plastic lid. The front of the paper is red and overlaid the background color are portraits of two women in evening gowns aligned with the left and right sides of the frame; between the two women is text which reads [KATHLEEN JESSYE / BATTLE NORMAN / SPIRITUALS / IN CONCERT / CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA / conducted by / JAMES / LEVINE].; (2016.68.2c): A clear plastic cassette case with a hinged opening.

Topic: African American; Classical (Music); Singers (Musicians); Spirituals (Music)

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

Object number: 2016.68.2abc

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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

Marian Anderson Sings Spirituals

Recorded by: Anderson, Marian, American, 1897 - 1993

Medium: vinyl , cardboard
Dimensions: H x W: 10 1/8 x 10 1/8 in. (25.7 x 25.7 cm)

Type: long-playing records

Place made: Camden, New Jersey, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1956

Description: 2015.137.4a: A 10 inch, 33 1/3 long play RCA LM 110 record, recorded by Marian Anderson and titled "Marian Anderson Sings Spirituals." Side A has four tracks: Nobody Knows The Trouble I See, Hear De Lam's A-Cryin', My Lord, What A Morning, and Were You There. Side B has six tracks: On Ma Journey, De Gospel Train, Soon-A Will Be Done, Sinner, Please Honor, Honor, and Ride On, King Jesus. The record has a red label at the center with the RCA Victor logo, manufacturing and recording information on each side.; 2015.137.4b: The album cover has a red border and red floral pattern center with white and black print. Anderson appears lower left of center in black-and-white. Black type at the top reads: [LM 110 / MARIAN ANDERSON SINGS SPIRITUALS].

Topic: African American; Singers (Musicians); Spirituals (Music)

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

Object number: 2015.137.4ab

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Jubilee Singers, Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee

Stereograph 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

Medium: albumen, sodium chloride, silver nitrate on photographic paper and cardboard
Dimensions: H x W (Mount): 3 1/4 x 6 3/4 x 1/16 in. (8.3 x 17.1 x 0.2 cm)

Type: albumen prints; stereographs

Date: 1872

Description: A black-and-white stereograph group photograph of the original Jubilee Singers from Fisk University located in Nashville, Tennessee. The object consists of double photographs of the same image taken from two slightly different perspectives. Stereographs are distinctive among other stereoscopic photographs because they are photographic prints mounted on cards, From 1856 they were produced with twin-lens cameras, creating a three dimensional effect when viewed through a stereoscope.

Topic: African American; Education; Humanitarianism; Photography; Reconstruction (United States History, 1865-1877); Religious groups; Spirituals (Music)

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

Object number: 2011.57.23

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

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

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Johnson, Hall, American, 1888 - 1970

Medium: silver gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 8 1/8 × 10 in. (20.6 × 25.4 cm)

Type: photographs

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

Date: ca. 1935-1952

Description: Black and white photograph of the Hall Johnson Choir on stage. The choir stands on a riser on the stage behind a piano and in front of a curtain with a display of American flags. All but one of the men are wearing tuxedos and the women are wearing matching dresses. One man in the choir, to the right of the photograph, wears a uniform. Choral director Hall Johnson stands to the left of the photograph on the side of the stage near the riser. Audience members are visible in the foreground. The back of the photograph has a stamp.

Topic: African American; Conductors (Musicians); Singers (Musicians); Spirituals (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Dr. Eugene Thamon Simpson, Representative, Hall Johnson Estate

Object number: TA2013.166.1.2

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: The Hall Johnson Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Photography; Archival Collections

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Leaflet for the Dixie Jubilee Singers

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Dixie Jubilee Singers, American, ca.1920s - 1930s; Henry, Charles; Bowles, Francis; Benn, Joseph; Furr, Arthur
Owned by: Johnson, Hall, American, 1888 - 1970

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W (Closed): 7 1/16 × 5 1/16 in. (17.9 × 12.9 cm); H x W (Open): 7 1/16 × 10 in. (17.9 × 25.4 cm)

Type: leaflets

Place depicted: 77 West Rutland Square, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1920s - 1930s

Description: Green leaflet advertising the Dixie Jubilee Singers. The front of the leaflet has black type that reads: [DIXIE / JUBILEE / SINGERS]. The two inside pages show a black and white photograph of four men in tuxedos. The names of the men in the photograph are listed underneath the photo in black type that reads: [Charles Henry / Francis Bowles / Joseph Benn / Arthur Furr]. The rest of the content gives information and review about the singers. The leaflet's back page includes the title: [MEMORANDA] above blank lines. Under the lines, type reads: [DIXIE JUBILEE SINGERS AT YOUR SERVICE].

Topic: African American; Singers (Musicians); Spirituals (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Dr. Eugene Thamon Simpson, Representative, Hall Johnson Estate

Object number: TA2013.166.1.5

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: The Hall Johnson Collection
Classification: Archival Collections; 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

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Handbill for a performance by the Fisk Jubilee Singers

Letter from Carl Fischer Inc. to Hall Johnson regarding Johnson's contract

Royalty Statement for Hall Johnson

Carte-de-visite of the Jubilee Singers

American Spirituals

The Story of the Jubilee Singers: With Their Songs

Pilate! Pilate!

Oh! Reign Massa Jesus Reign

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Spirituals in Concert

Marian Anderson Sings Spirituals

Jubilee Singers, Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee

Photograph of the Hall Johnson Choir

Leaflet for the Dixie Jubilee Singers

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