Manufactured by
Best Products Co., Inc., American, 1957 - 1997
Owned by
Holmes, Anna Mae Queen, American, 1926 - 2013
Date
late 20th century
Medium
synthetic fiber, plastic, metal, foam, rubber, elastic, and Velcro (TM)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 11 × 17 1/2 × 10 in. (27.9 × 44.5 × 25.4 cm)
Description
This gray bag was used by Anna Mae Queen Holmes to store a travel hair care kit (2014.224.4.1-23). The rectangular bag is made from a gray canvas synthetic fabric. The top of the bag opens on three sides with a black metal zipper. There are pockets sewn on each side and on the front of the bag, all of which close with black metal zippers. A short handle of gray and blue striped woven tape is sewn horizontally at the center top, with two additional lengths sewn vertically across the top, each ending in a black plastic metal buckle. These buckles attach to two (2) straps sewn above the front pocket, each ending in the opposite side of the black plastic metal buckles sewn on the top. Loops of the gray and blue woven tape are sewn above each of the side pockets with a black plastic loop attached to them, likely for a longer carrying strap that is now missing. A metal plate with black text reading "Albinar" is attached to the lower right facing corner of the front pocket. Two (2) black rubber strips are attached to the bottom of the bag with the text "Albinar" impressed into the rubber. A black leather label is sewn to the center of the bottom of the bag with white text printed on it that reads "PRO-4500".
The interior of the bag and all pocket interiors are lined in bright blue synthetic fabric. The interior of the lid is lined in a tan synthetic fabric with two (2) strips of gray Velcro (TM) attached just left of center. A length of black elastic sewn along the right side into a series of small loops. The bag is kept stiff by a thick layer of foam placed between the lining and facing of the body and lid of the bag. Thinner foam is placed between the lining and facing of the tops of the side pockets, and all of the front pocket. A hard material, likely plastic, is placed inside the bottom of the bag making it stiffer than the rest of the bag. A white tag with red printed text is sewn to the back right facing side seam of the interior that reads "MADE IN CHINA".
As used by Holmes, the bag contained the following items:
2014.224.4.1 Orange Portable Stove
2014.224.4.2 Pressing Comb with Switch
2014.224.4.3 Pressing Comb
2014.224.4.4 Reck-Junior Pressing Comb (see item level record)
2014.224.4.5 Kentucky Maid Pressing Comb
2014.224.4.6 Reck-Junior Stove Iron (see item level record)
2014.224.4.7 Curling Iron
2014.224.4.8 Sta-Sharp Hair Clipper
2014.224.4.9 Hair Clipper
2014.224.4.10 Hair Clipper
2014.224.4.11 Baby Bob No. 340-0000 Hair Clipper
2014.224.4.12 Sonora Nail Buffer
2014.224.4.13 Lint Remover
2014.224.4.14 Bag of Hair Accessories
2014.224.4.15 Herpicide Disinfecting System Container
2014.224.4.16.1-.3 Jewelry Box
2014.224.4.17 White Comb
2014.224.4.18 Ace Red Comb
2014.224.4.19 Black Comb
2014.224.4.20 Diane Black Comb
2014.224.4.21 Black Comb
2014.224.4.22 Yellow Comb
2014.224.4.23.1-.2Fancy Heat Sterno Can
Place collected
Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Accessories and Personal Effects
Type
cases (containers)
Topic
Hair
Travel
Women
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Cheryl Dozier Payne in memory of Anna Mae Queen Holmes, Educator & Historian
Object number
2014.224.4
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5fc37227d-1ebc-4eee-a5fc-bdf3cc218d9a

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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