Photograph by
Sneed, Robert, American
Subject of
Hawkins, Bill, American, 1909 - 1975
Unidentified Man or Men
Unidentified Woman or Women
Date
1948-1958
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (Sheet): 8 1/8 × 10 in. (20.6 × 25.4 cm)
Description
A black-and-white photograph of Disc Jockey Bill “Hawk” Hawkins with an unidentified man and a group of six unidentified women in matching costumes. The group is standing on a slightly elevated stage in two rows. Hawkins, the man and one woman stand in the front row. Behind them stand the remaining five unidentified women. The women are all wearing capri length, medium-toned pants, white sleeveless collared shirts, a light-toned sash at their waists, white ballet flats, and straw wide rimmed hats with ribbon chin ties. The women in the top row are wearing the hats on their head and the woman in the front row wears her hat on her back. To the right of the woman in the front row is Hawkins, depicted smiling and holding a cigarette in his proper left hand. He is wearing a medium-toned suit, white collared shirt, a dark patterned tie, and has a white pocket square in his left breast pocket. The other man, to the woman’s left, is wearing a dark shiny suit, a white collared shirt, and a dark patterned tie. The five women in the top row are arranged with the two women at each end turned slightly towards the center. The woman at the center of the top row is leaning forward between Hawkins and the woman in the front row. In the background is a painted mural of a reclining woman, a chair, hanging party streamers, and an upright piano. Printed in black in the bottom right corner is the photographer’s mark that reads [Robt. Sneed / PHOTOGRAPHER / CLEVELAND, OHIO]. The photograph has a white frame and a landscape orientation. The back of this photograph is white and plain with a pencil inscription in the top right corner that read [16[underlined]].
Place captured
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States, North and Central America
Place printed
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
gelatin silver prints
portraits
Topic
Music
Photography
Radio
Theatre
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of W. Allen Taylor, son of "Walkin' Talkin' Bill Hawkins," The First Black Disc Jockey of Cleveland, Ohio
Object number
2018.91.2.28
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e7246895-80f3-4943-bc6b-693e355a0801

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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