Manufactured by
Unidentified
Subject of
Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, American, founded 1835
Date
after 1972
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product) with synthetic fiber
Dimensions
H x W x D: 4 3/4 × 2 15/16 × 1 in. (12 × 7.5 × 2.5 cm)
Caption
This small Bible repurposed into an address book is an example of Wallace’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 a social and political life through active correspondence with the outside world.
Description
A tiny, faux-leather bound Bible repurposed into an address book by Herman Wallace while incarcerated at Angola Prison. The book holds notes, loose papers, and contact information. The front cover houses a yellowed black-and-white photograph of a young man wearing sunglasses and a short sleeve shirt. On the inside of the Bible is a thick stack of miscellaneous papers. The back cover is heavily worn, cracked, and warped, but still intact.
Place used
Angola, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
Herman Wallace Archival Collection
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Type
records
address books
Bibles
make-dos
Topic
American South
Communication
Men
Prisons
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Maria Hinds
Object number
A2018.36.1.5
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd54c53cf8f-1bcb-4593-bd7e-d3f7aa42c69b

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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