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SERIES 1 · THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

Series 1 · Complete Archive

Explore people and objects across Black history. Start anywhere, or follow the collection by date.

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115,761 matching cards · 24 cards per page

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Political and Activist Ephemera

Black Americans and the Middle East Conflict

1970

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A pamphlet with green and black ink on yellowing paper. The front cover of the pamphlet has the green and black text that reads: [Black American and the Middle East Conflict / Henry Winston / 25¢]. The interior consists of fourteen pages of text. The back…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2010.55.45
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
pamphlets

Black Americans in the Spanish People's War Against Fascism 1936-1939

ca. 1979

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Pamphlet featuring an abstract image of a smiling man's head and shoulders appears on off-white paper beneath red print.

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2010.55.54
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Source image for Black and beige woven straw hatLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and beige woven straw hat

1960s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black and beige woven straw hat. The hat's body is made from thick beige straw and a thinner black straw. In addition, two strands of thin black straw are woven throughout the hat. The hat band is made of a thick black rayon grosgrain ribbon. A bow made…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.399
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and cream printed bonnet

1860-1910

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Black and cream calico printed bonnet cotton. The pattern consists of a series of dots and curved shapes that are arranged into light brown lines against a black pattern. The bonnet structure features a soft crown that is gathered and sewn into a quilted…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.503
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Costume

Black and gold vest worn by LaMonte McLemore of The 5th Dimension

ca. 1980

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Black vest with gold decoration and fringe worn by LaMonte McLemore of The 5th Dimension. The collarless black vest has a straight hem with squared front opening edges and oversized armholes. It is made of a black polyester-cotton blend fabric that is…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.198.2
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Costume

Black and green pants with rhinestones worn by Earth, Wind, & Fire members

2004-2013

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A pair of black wool Hilfiger brand men's dress pants with lime green pinstripes. The pants have straight cut legs and close at the center front with a black plastic zipper, one (1) black plastic button above the zipper, one (1) flat metal hook-and-eye,…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2015.147.5
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
hats

Black and pink beehive hat with pink flowers from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Black velvet beehive hat designed by Mae Reeves with a wide pink velvet hat band and pink velvet top on the crown. Three (3) large pink artificial roses with leaves and stems are attached to the proper front side of the crown with thread and glue, with…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.213.2
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Source image for Black and pink circular straw purseLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and pink circular straw purse

1960s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black and pink circular straw purse. The purse has two straps which are sewn on each side of the purse made of black braided straw. The exterior of the purse is made of black braided straw woven in the round. The purse opens at the top with a metal…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.876
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and purple figure skating costume worn by Debi Thomas

1986

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black and purple figure skating costume designed by Lauren Sheehan and worn by Debi Thomas in the 1986 U.S. and World Championships. The costume consists of a black, long-sleeve leotard with attached skirt. The leotard features a deep V at the neck,…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2016.38.1
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Source image for Black and purple graphic tie worn by Melvin Van PeeblesLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and purple graphic tie worn by Melvin Van Peebles

2000- 2010

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black and purple graphic tie worn by Melvin Van Peebles. The tie is made from one panel of black silk that is vertically seamed to itself at the center back. There is a purple/magenta, large abstract print of a feather that covers most of the fabric. At…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2024.60.12
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and red baseball cap designed by Cross Colours

2018

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black and red baseball cap designed by Cross Colours. The crown of the hat is divided into six triangular sections made of black polyester; eyelets embroidered with green thread are placed at the center of each section. The six triangular sections are…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2023.76.7
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Source image for Black and red leather jacket worn by Kurtis BlowLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and red leather jacket worn by Kurtis Blow

1981

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

This black and red leather jacket was worn by Kurtis Blow on the cover of his album "Deuce" (1981). The motorcycle style jacket has full-length sleeves, a stand-up collar, and closes at the center front with a black zipper and five (5) metal snaps painted…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2015.185
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and silver cardigan and skirt ensemble by Gene Bailey

1970-1995

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

This is a two-piece ensemble consisting of a black and silver cardigan and a silver skirt. The cardigan has long sleeves and a black crocheted V-neckline. The edges and hem of the cardigan are also crocheted in black. It fastens up the front with four…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog A2018.88.1.3.1-.2
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and silver drop waist dress with ruffle details designed by Peter Davy

1985-1990

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black and silver dress with silver lamé ruffle details designed by Peter Davy. The strapless bodice is made from black velvet. It has a sweetheart neckline and a dropped waistline. The bodice is shaped and fitted, including at the natural waist and hips.…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.104
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
knobs

Black and silver knob

20th century

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Round black and silver knob with white line marker.

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.177.4.3
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and silver turban style hat from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

An unfinished black and metallic silver turban style hat designed by Mae Reeves. The hat is made from a black and silver synthetic fabric that has been draped to look like a turban tied on the head, with the folds sewn into place. Two (2) layers of stiff…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2010.6.141
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and silver tuxedo inspired gown by Pierre Cardin

1985-1986

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Black and silver tuxedo inspired dress by Pierre Cardin. The dress is made from black wool decorated in rows of small silver rhinestones to imitate a woven pinstripe. It is cut with a deep plunging V-neck in the front, with black silk satin exaggerated…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2015.141.32
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Time-based Media - Moving Images

Black and Tan

1929

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A musical film with the title Black and Tan. It consists of a single reel of black-and-white 16mm acetate film with an optical sound track. The film opens with an RKO title card that reads in part, “Black and Tan with Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2017.55.3.1ab
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Toys and Games

Black and tan chessboard used by Herman Wallace while incarcerated

ca. 1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black and tan cardboard chessboard used by Herman Wallace while incarcerated at Angola Prison. This chessboard features a prominent jagged split across the middle, alongside various wear and tear from use. On the playing side, one of the four corners, is…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog A2018.36.1.12.1
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Time-based Media - Moving Images

Black and Tan Fantasy

1929

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A 16mm release print of the short film Black and Tan Fantasy. It consists of a single reel of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film (a) with variable-area optical sound. A metal film reel (b), a film cannister (c) and a cardboard shipping box (d)…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2015.167.2.1a-d
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and tan turtleneck sweater with oversized collar

1970s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black and tan turtleneck sweater with an oversized tan collar. The front of the turtleneck is made from one panel of tan synthetic (likely polyester) fabric for the neck and body of the garment. There are two black sleeves, sewn to the body of the…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.266
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and white baseball cap with the Hot 97 logo

ca. 1995

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black and white baseball cap with the Hot 97 logo. The crown of the hat is made of white cotton and polyester twill weave. There is a metal button covered in black fabric secured at the top of the crown. The crown is pieced with six panels that are…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2020.30.7
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Source image for Black and white dress with flowersLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black and white dress with flowers

ca.1985

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black and white synthetic knit dress with fabric flowers. The dress has a rounded neckline and cap sleeves with gathers at the shoulders and is finished with a corded stitched overlock hem. Slits are present at the exterior sides of the sleeves that tie…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.614
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Biographies, museum objects and archive records are distinct card types. Every card links to its historical source.