NMAAHC Collections Search

Serena Williams, Miami Beach 2003

Photograph by: Iooss, Walter Jr., American, born 1943
Subject of: Williams, Serena Jameka, American, born 1981

Medium: digital
Dimensions: H x W: 5000pixels × 4034pixels

Type: portraits; digital images

Place depicted: Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, North and Central America

Date: 2003

Description: An image of Serena Williams. The low-angle image features Williams standing in front of an in-ground pool wearing a white bathing suit and heels. She is standing towards the camera, but looking past it, with her hands on her hips.

Topic: African American; Athletes; Photography; Tennis

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, Gift of Walter Iooss

Object number: 2016.164.20

Restrictions & Rights: © Walter Iooss

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sport Vol. 29 No. 3

Published by: Sport Magazine, American, 1946 - 2000
Subject of: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003; Robinson, Jackie, American, 1919 - 1972; Mays, Willie Howard Jr., American, born 1931; Chamberlain, Wilt, American, 1936 - 1999
Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003
Subject of: San Francisco Giants, American, founded 1958

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: 10 7/8 × 8 9/16 × 1/8 in. (27.6 × 21.7 × 0.3 cm)

Type: magazines (periodicals)

Date: 1960

Description: Sport (magazine) featuring cover images of Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Wilt Chamberlain, and Althea Gibson. Written in blue ink on the image of Althea Gibson is "Page 28."

Topic: African American; Athletes; Baseball; Basketball; Race relations; Tennis

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donald Felder and family

Object number: 2014.205.8

Restrictions & Rights: © The Sport Gallery. 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

Medal given to Althea Gibson by the Armed Forces of Pakistan

Created by: Pakistan Services Sports Control Board, Pakistani
Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: silver
Dimensions: Medal: 2 5/8 x 2 x 1/8 in. (6.7 x 5.1 x 0.3 cm); Case for medal: 13/16 x 3 1/8 x 4 in. (2.1 x 7.9 x 10.2 cm)

Type: medals

Place made: Pakistan, Asia

Date: 1956

Description: A two inch silver medal with original box. The medal is engraved with the text: [Exhibition Tennis Matches / Against Armed Forces of Pakistan / Althea Gibson / January 1956] on one side. The other side has engraved text around the edge of the circle that reads: [Services Sports Control Board Pakistan]. The text surrounds a symbol that includes an anchor, star, wings, and swords on the other side.

Topic: African American; International affairs; Tennis

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

Object number: 2009.27.2ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 052

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Wightman Cup Medal

Created by: United States Tennis Association, American, founded 1881
Subject of: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: metal
Dimensions: H x W: 1 3/4 × 1 3/8 in. (4.4 × 3.5 cm)

Type: medals

Place depicted: Edgeworth, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1957

Description: A circular Wightman Cup medal. On one side the medal is engraved: [Wightman Cup Matches, 1957, Edgeworth Club]. The reverse is engraved: [Althea Gibson / United States].

Topic: African American; Tennis

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

Object number: 2009.27.4

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals
Exhibition: Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 052

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Wightman Cup blazer worn by Althea Gibson

Created by: United States Tennis Association, American, founded 1881
Subject of: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: wool
Dimensions: 29 3/4 x 29 3/8 in. (75.6 x 74.6 cm); On form: 28 3/4 x 21 x 18 in. (73 x 53.3 x 45.7 cm)

Type: blazers

Place used: Edgeworth, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1957

Description: An off-white blazer with three buttons down the front center. The jacket has two pockets and features an embroidered American shield over crossed tennis racquets on the proper left chest.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Tennis

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

Object number: 2009.27.5

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Historical
Exhibition: Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 052

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Souvenir Program for the Southern Tennis Association Annual Tournament

Created by: Southern Tennis Association, American, founded 1881
Subject of: Tuskegee Institute, American, founded 1881; American Tennis Association

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 in. (26.7 x 18.4 cm)

Type: programs

Place used: Tuskegee, Macon County, Alabama, United States, North and Central America

Date: August 1933

Description: A souvenir program for an annual tennis tournament sanctioned by the Southern Tennis Association held at the Tuskegee Institute August 2nd through August 5th, 1933.

Topic: African American; Associations and institutions; Tennis

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

Object number: 2012.46.68.28

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

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

Ticket for 2004 Summer Olympics tennis event owned by Carl Lewis

Distributed by: Athens 2004 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games S.A., Greek, 1998 - 2004
Owned by: Lewis, Carl, American, born 1961

Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions: H x W: 5 15/16 x 2 5/8 in. (15.1 x 6.7 cm)

Type: admission tickets

Place depicted: Athens, Greece

Date: August 22, 2004

Description: White, blue, orange, yellow, green, and pink Olympic ticket with black type. The official Tennis pictogram appears at the lower center of the ticket. Ticket is for a tennis event taking place at 17:00 on August 22, 2004. The event took place at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex.

Topic: African American; Olympics; Tennis

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Carl Lewis Estate

Object number: 2013.126.44

Restrictions & Rights: © International Olympic Committee. Permission required for use.

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

Sticker for the American Tennis Association owned by Althea Gibson

Printed by: Unidentified
Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003
Subject of: American Tennis Association

Medium: ink on paper, adhesive
Dimensions: Diameter: 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)

Type: stickers

Date: late 20th century

Description: An American Tennis Association sticker owned by Althea Gibson. The sticker is a blue and white circle and depicts the American Tennis Associations logo. “ATA” is at the top enter of the sticker. A white bird is at the center above “1916.”. Written on the bottom, outside border of the logo is “SPORTSMAN-UNITY-GOODWILL.”

Topic: African American; Associations and institutions; Tennis; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donald Felder and family

Object number: 2014.205.15

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera
Exhibition: Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 052

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of the private tennis court at Dr. Eaton's house

Photograph by: Unidentified
Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003
Subject of: Dr. Eaton, Hubert A., American, 1916 - 1991

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (image): 3 15/16 × 2 5/8 in. (10 × 6.7 cm); H x W (sheet): 4 1/2 × 3 1/4 in. (11.5 × 8.3 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Place depicted: Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1950s

Description: Black and white photograph of a private tennis court in a backyard of a house. The court is divided by a white that runs down the middle of the image just right of center. To the left of the wall is a row of hedges. To the right of the wall, a portion of a tennis court right. In the background is a white house. On the back of the photograph in the upper half is an image caption in blue pencil [EF/rear view/Dr. Eaton's house/in Wilmington/showing private/tennis court].

Topic: African American; Tennis; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donald Felder and family

Object number: 2014.205.18

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

International Lawn Tennis Club of the United States of America

Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: 3 × 5 1/2 × 1/4 in. (7.6 × 14 × 0.6 cm)

Type: pamphlets

Date: 1980

Description: Small booklet of the International Lawn Tennis Club of the United States that includes the constitution and lists of various national and international members.

Topic: African American; Associations and institutions; Tennis; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donald Felder and family

Object number: 2014.205.19.1

Restrictions & Rights: © International Tennis Club of the United States of America. 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

Informational sheet on the International Lawn Tennis Clubs colors

Created by: International Lawn Tennis Club of the United States
Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 5 1/2 × 2 15/16 in. (14 × 7.5 cm)

Type: cards

Date: 1980

Description: List of flags with different stripes associated with the different lawn tennis clubs. Countries [GREAT BRITAIN / U.S.A. / SWEDEN / ARGENTINE / SOUTH AFRICA / AUSTRALIA / FRANCE / NETHERLANDS / BELGIUM / DENMARK / INDIA / NEW ZEALAND].

Topic: African American; Associations and institutions; Tennis; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donald Felder and family

Object number: 2014.205.19.2

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

Patch for the International Lawn Tennis Club of the United States

Created by: International Lawn Tennis Club of the United States
Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: felt
Dimensions: H x W: 2 3/4 × 2 7/16 in. (7 × 6.2 cm)

Type: patches (costume accessories)

Date: 1980

Description: Gray patch in the shape of a shield. Across the upper right to the lower left quadrant are three (3) narrow diagonal lines in pink. In the upper left corner is a pair of crossed tennis rackets with two (2) tennis balls. In the lower right corner is the logo of the International Lawn Tennis Club.

Topic: African American; Associations and institutions; Tennis; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donald Felder and family

Object number: 2014.205.19.4

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Tennis racket used by Althea Gibson

Manufactured by: Wilson Sporting Goods Co., American, founded 1914
Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: wood, rubber, synthetic fiber
Dimensions: 27 × 9 1/8 × 1 1/2 in. (68.6 × 23.2 × 3.8 cm)

Type: rackets (sports equipment)

Place made: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, united States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1960

Description: A wooden Wilson brand tennis racket with cover used by Althea Gibson. The tennis racket is red and white with a black rubber tape at handle. Painted type near head of racket appears on both sides of the racket and reads “PROFESSIONAL MODEL / APOLLO. Black type on top of racket's head reads “7 PLY.” The racket has white synthetic strings.

Topic: African American; Tennis; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donald Felder and family

Object number: 2014.205.2.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Tennis racket cover used by Althea Gibson

Manufactured by: Wilson Sporting Goods Co., American, founded 1914
Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: leather, metal
Dimensions: 14 3/4 × 10 1/8 × 1 in. (37.5 × 25.7 × 2.5 cm)

Type: covers (overlying objects)

Date: ca. 1960

Description: Red and white tennis racket cover. White type appears on center of either side reading, [Wilson]. The "Wilson" type has been covered with tape. White type near bottom of covering reads [MADE IN/U.S.A.]. Cover has zipper running along side of cover.

Topic: African American; Tennis; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donald Felder and family

Object number: 2014.205.2.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Tennis racquet used by Althea Gibson

Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: wood, rubber, synthetic fiber
Dimensions: 27 1/8 × 9 3/8 × 1 1/2 in. (68.9 × 23.8 × 3.8 cm)

Type: rackets (sports equipment)

Date: mid 20th century - late 20th century

Description: A tennis racquet owned by Althea Gibson. The racquet is made of wood and has a brown leather wrapped handle. Gold and blue lettering near the head of the racket reads “BLUE MOON.” A blue logo of a moon appears below. Gold type along handle reads “Laminated.” A white “H” appears on the bottom of racket's handle.

Topic: African American; Tennis; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donald Felder and family

Object number: 2014.205.3.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Tools and Equipment-Sports and Recreational
Exhibition: Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 052

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Tennis racquet cover used by Althea Gibson

Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: wood, metal
Dimensions: 10 3/8 × 11 1/8 × 3 1/2 in. (26.4 × 28.3 × 8.9 cm)

Type: covers (overlying objects)

Description: Wooden racquet cover with metal brackets for tightening.

Topic: African American; Tennis; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donald Felder and family

Object number: 2014.205.3.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Tools and Equipment-Sports and Recreational
Exhibition: Sports: Leveling the Playing Field
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 052

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Key to the City of Detroit presented to Althea Gibson

Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: metal
Dimensions: 2 × 6 1/4 × 1/8 in. (5.1 × 15.9 × 0.3 cm)

Type: commemorative medals

Date: May 19, 1961

Description: Key to the City of Detroit presented to Althea Gibson. Gold colored metal key with decorative engraving on one side. Handle of key is a "D". Raised type along side of key reads, [CITY OF DETROIT].

Topic: African American; Tennis; Women

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Donald Felder and family

Object number: 2014.205.4.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Awards and Medals

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Christine Truman Beats Althea Gibson in Wightman Cup

Created by: Keystone Press Agency, British
Subject of: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003; Trumman, Christine, English, born 1941

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 10 x 8 1/16 in. (25.4 x 20.5 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Place captured: London, England, Europe

Date: 1958

Description: In this black-and-white photograph, Christine Truman (left) walks off with Althea Gibson (right). Both women wear tennis skirts and jackets. A crowd is visible in the background.

Topic: African American; Athletes; Photography; Tennis

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

Object number: 2009.27.1.2

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of Althea Gibson

Created by: Seawell, Wallace, American, 1916 - 2007
Subject of: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: 10 1/8 x 8 1/16 in. (25.7 x 20.5 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Date: 1959

Description: In this black-and-white photograph, Althea Gibson poses on a stool with two tennis rackets. Both the rackets have dark colors printed with "Althea Gibson" in white letters.

Topic: African American; Athletes; Photography; Tennis

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

Object number: 2009.27.1.3

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph of Althea Gibson with travel gear

Created by: Unidentified
Subject of: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 8 1/2 x 6 9/16 in. (21.6 x 16.7 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Place captured: London, England, Europe

Date: 1959

Description: In this black-and-white photograph, Althea Gibson stands in front of a "London Airport" sign in a trenchcoat with a travel bag, tennis racket, and purse.

Topic: African American; Athletes; Photography; Tennis

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

Object number: 2009.27.1.4

Restrictions & Rights: Unknown - Restrictions Possible

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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