Photograph by
Joyce, James A., American
Subject of
Hawkins, Bill, American, 1909 - 1975
Washington, Dinah, American, 1924 - 1963
Unidentified Man or Men
Unidentified Woman or Women
Unidentified Child or Children
Hawkins, Bill’ Record Studio, American
Date
ca. 1954
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (Sheet): 5 1/16 × 7 in. (12.9 × 17.8 cm)
Description
A black-and-white photograph of Dinah Washington taken inside the Bill Hawkins recording studio. Washington is depicted left of center, seated behind a counter, surrounded by a large crowd of mostly teenagers reaching towards her. She is wearing a black, button down, short sleeve garment. Her eyes are closed and she is smiling at the crowd. She is holding up a record in a sleeve with her proper left hand. A boy standing next to her is grabbing the record from her hands. Behind Washington is a two-tone wall. A rectangular mirror is hanging behind her to her left, and above her head, are two signs posted on the wall. The first sign is white with black text that reads [Inquire Inside About / These FREE GIFTS / Donated By The ALDRICH HOWEY CO.] and a black sign with white text below that reads “Please Check! / Change & Records / NO / EXCHANGES]. In the background on the right, lining the wall, is a large, wooden cubby with cubby holes filled with records in tabbed sleeves. On top of the cubby is a pile of long-playing records in sleeves and a row of promotional photographs of performers leaning against the wall. The photograph has a white border and a landscape orientation. There are tape remnants in the top corners and bottom left corner. There is a surface loss in the bottom right corner. The back of the photo is white and plain with a black ink photographer’s stamp at the top center and an inscription. The black ink stamp reads [JAMES A. JOYCE / PHOTOGRAPHER / TY 1-0748 CLEVELAND, OHIO]. The black ink inscription is handwritten vertically in the bottom right corner and reads, [DINAH WASHINGTON[double underlined] / MID FIFTIES].
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
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Jazz (Music)
Photography
Radio
Rhythm and blues (Music)
Singers (Musicians)
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
2018.91.2.32
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5040c3403-5940-4875-85a6-ce544795a6d4

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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