Created by
Wallace, Herman, American, 1941 - 2013
Subject of
Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, American, founded 1835
Date
after 1972
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product) and plastic
Dimensions
H x W x D: 2 11/16 × 1 15/16 × 5/8 in. (6.8 × 5 × 1.6 cm)
Caption
This tiny deck of red playing cards turned into an address book is an example of Herman’s ability to make much out of very little through the creative remaking and adjustment of the items available to him. It also documents his efforts to effectively maintain his social and political connections through active correspondence with the outside world.
Description
A deck of red paper playing cards repurposed into an address book by Herman Wallace while incarcerated at Angola Prison. The cards have been cut in half and housed in a cream-colored hand-stitched paper pouch. Each card has handwritten information for one of Wallace's contacts. The outermost card on one side has an inscription “Fam” in blue ink.
Place used
Angola, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Herman Wallace Archival Collection
Classification
Toys and Games
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Type
playing cards
address books
make-dos
Topic
American South
Communication
Communities
Men
Prisons
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maria Hinds
Object number
A2018.36.1.3
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5ee28f81d-9ab6-4736-97ef-3cdc0aa5547c

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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