Photograph by
Joyce, James A., American
Subject of
Hawkins, Bill, American, 1909 - 1975
Moreland, Mantan, American, 1902 - 1973
Williams, Paul, American, 1915 - 2002
Williams, George
Unidentified Man or Men
Unidentified Woman or Women
Hawkins, Bill’ Record Studio, American
WDOK 1260, American, 1950 - 2015
Burkhardt Brewing Company, American, 1933 - 1956
Date
ca. 1954
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (Sheet): 6 1/2 × 8 1/16 in. (16.5 × 20.5 cm)
Description
A black-and-white photograph of Disc Jockey Bill “Hawk” Hawkins with Mantan Moreland, Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams, two men, and a woman inside the DJ booth in Bill Hawkins’ Record Studio. The photograph, taken from the front window of Bill Hawkins’ Record Studio, depicts the group standing in a row to the left and right of Bill Hawkins, behind a large DJ console with a microphone and a turntable. Hawkins is depicted at the center, smiling at the viewer. He is wearing a white collared shirt, dark trousers, a medium-toned belt, and a pair of headphones over his ears with black wires draped down the front of his shirt. His proper left arm hovers over the turntable. There are two men depicted to the left of Hawkins, and two men, with a woman in between, on the right. The man on the far left, George WIlliams, is wearing a dark pinstriped suit with a dark patterned collared shirt and tie. His head is slightly tilted and he is looking towards the right edge of the image. The man second from the left, Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams, is wearing a dark suit, white collared shirt, and a tie with checker and floral patterns. The man on the far right, comedian Mantan Moreland, is wearing a medium-toned suit, dark collared shirt, patterned tie, a white pocket square in his proper left breast pocket. He is leaning his head on the shoulder of the woman standing next to him. She is wearing an off-the-shoulders, dark sequined dress with a sweetheart bodice. Her proper right hand is resting on the shoulder of the man, third from the right. He is wearing dark trousers, a houndstooth patterned collared shirt, and a thin houndstooth patterned jacket. Leaning on the front of the turntable is a black sign with white text in varying fonts that reads, [See and Hear / Bill HawKins' / Show / 5:45 - 6:45 / Radio Station / WDOK 12[60?]] / ON YO[---?]] with the last word obscured by an ice bucket and tray of highball and shot glasses. The other items on the table in front of the turntable include a bottle of [Burkhardt’s / mug ale], a metal serving bowl, and a partially visible sign on the far left, with text and graphics printed on the front that reads [There’s a Smile / in Every Bubble! / [Burk?]hardt’s / WEWS / SATURDAY / 11 PM]. In the background is a wood paneled wall and two windows with white shades. The bottom right quadrant of the photograph is missing. The photograph has a landscape orientation. The back of the photograph is white with a stamp at the center and handwritten black ink and pencil inscriptions in different handwriting. The black ink stamp at the center reads [PHOTO BY / JIMMY JOYCE / 2222 EAST 29TH ST. / CLEVELAND 6, OHIO].
Place captured
Cleveland, Cayuhoga County, Ohio, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Media Arts-Photography
Type
gelatin silver prints
portraits
Topic
Actors
Comedy
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Music
Photography
Radio
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
2018.91.2.3
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd586304197-2619-4ad2-a104-834f2fc4a653

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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