- Manufactured by
- Mel Howard Formal Wear Accessories, American
- Worn by
- Calloway, Cab, American, 1907 - 1994
- Date
- late 20th century
- Medium
- silk (textile) with cloth , metal and elastic
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 5 3/8 × 37 1/2 × 3/8 in. (13.7 × 95.3 × 1 cm)
- Description
- A Mel Howard cummerbund from the travel wardrobe trunk used by Cab Calloway. The patterned, medium gray cummerbund is primarily constructed of gray silk with a cotton backing. The gray silk front panel has four horizontal folds that extend across the waist when worn. The gray fabric has a woven texture with a pattern that includes dark gray dotted lines, accented with small, light pink, eight petal flowers with a dark pink centers. Extending from each end of the cummerbund are two gray, elastic waist straps that attach at the back with a flat hook and eye. Both of the waistband straps have metal strap adjusters. The back of the front panel of the cummerbund is lined with white cotton. Sewn to one side of the lining is a black fabric tag with white embroidered text that reads [Mel Howard / ONE SIZE / FITS ALL / 27-48]. Sewn to the opposite side of the lining is a second black fabric tag with white embroidered text that reads [ALL / SILK]. The back of both tags are blank.
- Collection title
- The Cabell “Cab” Calloway III Collection
- Classification
- Accessories and Personal Effects
- Clothing - Costume
- Type
- cummerbunds
- Topic
- Band (Music)
- Clothing and dress
- Conductors (Musicians)
- Costume
- Entertainers
- Jazz (Music)
- Singers (Musicians)
- Travel
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Cabella Calloway Langsam
- Object number
- A2015.273.1.1.42
- Restrictions & Rights
- No known copyright restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




