NMAAHC Collections Search

Altheas

Artist: Biery, Katherine Fullerton, n.d.

Medium: aquatint
Dimensions: 12 x 9 in. (30.5 x 22.9 cm)

Type: Graphic Arts-Print

Date: 1936

Topic: Still life\other\container; Still life\flower\althea

Credit Line: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chicago Society of Etchers

Object number: 1935.13.505

See more items in: Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department: Graphic Arts

Data Source: Smithsonian American Art Museum

Althea Gibson

Artist: Naylor, Genevieve, 1915 - 1989
Sitter: Gibson, Althea, 25 Aug 1927 - 28 Sep 2003

Medium: Gelatin silver print
Dimensions: Image: 18.8 x 18.9cm (7 3/8 x 7 7/16"); Sheet: 25.1 x 20.2cm (9 7/8 x 7 15/16"); Mat: 55.9 x 40.6cm (22 x 16")

Type: Photograph

Date: 1957 (c. 1970 print from original negative)

Exhibition Label: Althea Gibson almost retired from tennis in 1955, but instead, she went on to win the 1956 singles title at the French Open. The following season, she won the singles titles at both Wimbledon and Forest Hills, New York (the precursor to the U.S. Open). Look magazine featured Gibson in an article for its November 12, 1957 issue, for which Genevieve Naylor, the photographer assigned to the story, posed Gibson in Harlem, on the very street where she had grown up (143rd Street between Lenox and Seventh Avenues). While the young Gibson could often be seen playing paddle tennis in front of her building, tennis was not a popular sport in African American communities. After Gibson reached the top ranks, however, that began to change. As one of her fans later recalled, “everyone went out and bought a new racquet.”; Althea Gibson consideró retirarse del tenis en 1955, pero, por el contrario, prosiguió a ganar el Abierto de Francia de 1956. La siguiente temporada ganó Wimbledon y Forest Hills en Nueva York (precursor del Abierto de EE.UU.). La revista Look la destacó en un artículo del 12 de noviembre de 1957. Genevieve Naylor, fotógrafa asignada al artículo, quiso retratar a Gibson en la calle de Harlem donde había crecido (calle 143 entre las avenidas Lenox y Séptima). Aunque de pequeña Gibson solía jugar paddle tennis frente a su edificio, el tenis no era popular en las comunidades afroamericanas. Esto empezó a cambiar cuando Gibson alcanzó

Topic: Costume\Jewelry\Earring; Architecture\Building; Exterior\Cityscape; Equipment\Sports Equipment\Tennis racket; Althea Gibson: Female; Althea Gibson: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Singer; Althea Gibson: Literature\Writer\Biographer; Althea Gibson: Sports and Recreation\Athlete\Golf; Althea Gibson: Politics and Government\Civil Servant; Althea Gibson: Sports and Recreation\Athlete\Tennis; Portrait

Credit Line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Object number: NPG.93.363

Restrictions & Rights: © Estate of Genevieve Naylor

See more items in: National Portrait Gallery Collection
Exhibition: In Mid-Sentence
On View: NPG, North Gallery 220

Data Source: National Portrait Gallery

Althea Gibson

Artist: Chaliapin, Boris, 1904 - May 1979
Sitter: Gibson, Althea, 25 Aug 1927 - 28 Sep 2003

Medium: Watercolor and graphite pencil on paperboard
Dimensions: Sight: 62.3 x 46.3 cm (24 1/2 x 18 1/4"); Mat: 71.1 x 55.9 cm (28 x 22")

Type: Painting

Date: 1957

Exhibition Label: Born Silver, South Carolina; In 1955, Althea Gibson contemplated retiring from competitive tennis. Had she done so, she would have denied herself her greatest moment. Two years later, this “lanky jumping jack of a girl,” who had begun her sports career playing paddle tennis in New York’s Harlem, was arriving home from England, the winner of the women’s singles and doubles titles at the prestigious Wimbledon championships. Within another two months, she had won the U.S. women’s singles crown at Forest Hills, New York, and emerged triumphant as America’s clay court champion as well. “Althea Gibson,” reported Time magazine in its cover story for August 26, 1957, “is not the most graceful figure on the courts, and her game is not stylish.” Nevertheless, it was clear that at thirty—an age when most tennis players lose their competitive edge—she was only then hitting her stride.

Topic: Personal Attribute\Teeth; Equipment\Sports Equipment\Tennis racket; Equipment\Sports Equipment\Ball; Althea Gibson: Female; Althea Gibson: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Singer; Althea Gibson: Literature\Writer\Biographer; Althea Gibson: Sports and Recreation\Athlete\Golf; Althea Gibson: Politics and Government\Civil Servant; Althea Gibson: Sports and Recreation\Athlete\Tennis; Portrait

Credit Line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Time magazine

Object number: NPG.78.TC406

Restrictions & Rights: © Chris Murphy

See more items in: National Portrait Gallery Collection

Data Source: National Portrait Gallery

Althea Gibson

Artist: Van Vechten, Carl, 17 Jun 1880 - 21 Dec 1964
Sitter: Gibson, Althea, 25 Aug 1927 - 28 Sep 2003

Medium: Photogravure
Dimensions: 22cm x 14.9cm (8 11/16" x 5 7/8"), Image

Type: Photograph

Date: 1958 (printed 1983)

Topic: Costume\Jewelry\Earring; Interior; Althea Gibson: Female; Althea Gibson: Performing Arts\Performer\Musician\Singer; Althea Gibson: Literature\Writer\Biographer; Althea Gibson: Sports and Recreation\Athlete\Golf; Althea Gibson: Politics and Government\Civil Servant; Althea Gibson: Sports and Recreation\Athlete\Tennis; Portrait

Credit Line: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Object number: NPG.83.188.16

Restrictions & Rights: Photograph © Carl Van Vechten Trust Gravure and compilation ©Eakins Press Foundation

See more items in: National Portrait Gallery Collection

Data Source: National Portrait Gallery

Alokistocare althea Walcott

Type Status: paralectotype

Specimen Count: 1
Record Last Modified: 2 Apr 2019

USNM Number: PAL61573

See more items in: Paleogeneral; Types: Arthropoda; Arthropoda Trilobita Type; Paleobiology

Data Source: NMNH - Paleobiology Dept.

Alokistocare althea Walcott

Type Status: paralectotype

Specimen Count: 1
Record Last Modified: 1 Dec 2014

USNM Number: PAL61572

See more items in: Paleogeneral; Types: Arthropoda; Arthropoda Trilobita Type; Paleobiology

Data Source: NMNH - Paleobiology Dept.

Alokistocare althea Walcott

Type Status: lectotype

Specimen Count: 1
Record Last Modified: 2 Apr 2019

USNM Number: PAL61574

See more items in: Paleogeneral; Types: Arthropoda; Arthropoda Trilobita Type; Paleobiology

Data Source: NMNH - Paleobiology Dept.

Althea Officinalis

Object Name: crude drug

Location: Currently not on view

ID Number: MG.M-11553.06.02
catalog number: M-11553.06.02
accession number: 263974

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Medicine

Data Source: National Museum of American History

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

Tennis Outfit, Worn by Althea Gibson

user: Gibson, Althea

Physical Description: cotton (overall material); linen (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 32 in x 18 in; 81.28 cm x 45.72 cm

Object Name: tennis outfit, 2-pc.; tennis outfit; tennis outfit worn by Althea Gibson; outfit, tennis

date made: 1957

Description (Brief): Althea Gibson (1927-2003) wore this tennis outfit while winning the woman's singles title at Wimbeldon in 1957. In the match she defeated fellow American Darlene Heard.; Gibson was the first African-American to play in, and win, Wimbledon. She hoisted the prestigous event's silver trophy twice, in 1957 and 1958. She was also the first black woman to play in the U.S. Tennis Championships (1950) win the U.S. Open, and complete a Grand-Slam. Gibson also broke the color barrier in professional golf when she joined the LPGA in 1964.
Location: Currently not on view

subject: Tennis; Sports; Professional; Women; African American

Credit Line: Gift of Althea Gibson

ID Number: 1988.0260.07
accession number: 1988.0260
catalog number: 1988.0260.07

See more items in: Cultural and Community Life: Sport and Leisure; Highlights from the Culture and the Arts Collection

Data Source: National Museum of American History

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

Photograph of Althea Gibson

Created by: Roseberry, Oscar Zane, 1912 - 1999
Subject of: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W: 10 1/8 x 7 15/16 in. (25.7 x 20.2 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Date: 1959

Description: In this black-and-white photograph, Althea Gibson, wearing her Wightman Cup blazer, stands with two rackets in her left hand in front of a door marked "staff."

Topic: African American; Athletes; Photography; Tennis

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

Object number: 2009.27.1.5

Restrictions & Rights: © Oscar Zane Roseberry

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 Louise Brough

Photograph by: Layne, Cecil, American
Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (image): 9 3/4 × 7 15/16 in. (24.8 × 20.1 cm); H x W (sheet): 10 × 8 1/8 in. (25.4 × 20.7 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints

Date: ca. 1957

Description: Black-and-white photograph of Althea Gibson next to Louise Brough. Black stamp on back reads "PHOTO BY / CECIL LAYNE." A stamp below that reads "ASMP MEMBER / AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MAGAZINE PHOTOGRAPHERS."

Topic: African American; Athletes; Photography; Tennis; Women

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

Object number: 2014.205.10

Restrictions & Rights: © Estate of Cecil Layne. Permission required for use.

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

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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

Tennis Racquet, used by Althea Gibson

user: Gibson, Althea
maker: Lee, Harry C.

Physical Description: wood (overall material); nylon (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 18 in x 11 in x 2 1/2 in; 45.72 cm x 27.94 cm x 6.35 cm

Object Name: racket; racquet; racquet, tennis

date made: 1950-1959

Description (Brief): Althea Gibson (1927-2003) used this racquet when winning the woman's singles title at Wimbeldon in 1957. In the match she defeated fellow American Darlene Heard.; Gibson was the first African-American to play in, and win, Wimbledon. She hoisted the prestigoud event's silver trophy twice ,in 1957 and 1958. She was also the first black woman to play in the U.S. Tennis Championships (1950) win the U.S. Open, and complete a Grand-Slam. Gibson also broke the color barrier in professional golf when she joined the LPGA in 1964.
Location: Currently not on view

subject: Tennis; Sports; Professional; Women; African American

Credit Line: Gift of Althea Gibson

ID Number: 1988.0260.06
accession number: 1988.0260
catalog number: 1988.0260.06

See more items in: Cultural and Community Life: Sport and Leisure; Highlights from the Culture and the Arts Collection

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Althea Gibson at NMAH

Author: Greene, Donna
Subject: Gibson, Althea 1927-; Kennedy, Roger G; National Museum of American History (U.S.) (NMAH)

Physical description: Color: Black and white; Size: 10w x 8h; Type of Image: Event; Medium: Photographic print

Type: Photographic print

Date: 1988

Category: Historic Images of the Smithsonian
Notes: Featured in TORCH, June 1988
Summary: Althea Gibson, the first African American to win major tennis titles in women's singles and doubles competition, at the donation of five of her Wimbeldon trophies, as well as other memorabilia, to the National Museum of American History (NMAH). Photo shows NMAH director Roger Kennedy admiring two of the trophies that Gibson is holding.
Contained within: Smithsonian Institution Archives Record Unit 371 Box 5 Folder June 1988
Contact information: Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Topic: African Americans; Celebrities and Dignitaries; Gifts; Celebrities; Women; Tennis; Event

Standard number: 88-8695-18

Restrictions & Rights: No restrictions

Data Source: Smithsonian Archives - History Div

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

Photograph of Althea Gibson holding two tennis rackets

Photograph by: Seawell, Wallace, American, 1916 - 2007
Owned by: Gibson, Althea, American, 1927 - 2003

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (image): 9 5/16 × 7 3/8 in. (23.7 × 18.8 cm); H x W (sheet): 10 1/8 × 8 1/16 in. (25.7 × 20.5 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Date: 1959

Description: Black and white photographic portrait of Althea Gibson. She sits on a stool and holds two (2) tennis rackets in the their cases. The racket cases have her name in white [ALTHEA/GIBSON]. She wears all white and sits with her PL side facing the camera. She is seen smiling. In the lower right corner is the photographer credit in cursive text [Seawell].

Topic: African American; Athletes; Photography; Tennis; Women

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

Object number: 2014.205.17

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 wearing the Wightman Cup jacket

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

Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions: H x W (image): 9 7/16 × 7 1/4 in. (24 × 18.4 cm); H x W (sheet): 10 1/4 × 8 in. (26 × 20.3 cm)

Type: gelatin silver prints; portraits

Date: 1957

Description: Black-and-white photograph of Althea Gibson posing in a white jacket while holding a racket. Printed on the bottom right corner of the photograph is "Seawell."

Topic: African American; Athletes; Photography; Tennis; Women

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

Object number: 2014.205.12

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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Altheas

Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson

Alokistocare althea Walcott

Alokistocare althea Walcott

Alokistocare althea Walcott

Althea Officinalis

Photograph of Althea Gibson

Photograph of Althea Gibson with travel gear

Tennis Outfit, Worn by Althea Gibson

Tennis racquet used by Althea Gibson

Photograph of Althea Gibson

Photograph of Althea Gibson with Louise Brough

Tennis racquet cover used by Althea Gibson

Tennis Racquet, used by Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson at NMAH

Tennis racket used by Althea Gibson

Photograph of Althea Gibson holding two tennis rackets

Photograph of Althea Gibson wearing the Wightman Cup jacket

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