Skip to content
SERIES 1 · THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

Series 1 · Complete Archive

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

Explore Series 1 categories · Artifact discovery board

115,761 matching cards · 24 cards per page

Source image for Black platform ankle boots worn by Bootsy CollinsLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Costume

Black platform ankle boots worn by Bootsy Collins

ca. 1990

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A pair of black leather platform boots worn by Bootsy Collins. The ankle-length boots are made in a high-top sneaker style with wide tongues. The outside and inside quarter panels of the shoes have a textured black patent leather panel that also outlines…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2015.234.2.4ab
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Books and Published Materials

Black Poetry: a Supplement to Anthologies Which Exclude Black Poets

1969

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A paperback collection, or anthology, of poems titled "Black Poetry" edited/compiled by Dudley Randall. The front cover is black with white type that reads [BLACK POETRY / EDITED BY DUDLEY RANDALL / Black poems are beautiful • delicate and lovely / AHMED…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2015.114
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Books and Published Materials

Black Poetry: a Supplement to Anthologies Which Exclude Black Poets

1969

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A first edition, third printing of the Black Poetry anthology edited by Dudley Randall. The paperback book has a plain black front cover with white text. Large type at the top reads: [BLACK POETRY / EDITED BY DUDLEY RANDALL] followed by a white line. Most…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2025.60
Explore record →
Source image for Black polypropylene straw pillbox hatLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black polypropylene straw pillbox hat

1980s-1990s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black polypropylene straw brimless pillbox hat. The hat has a flat rounded crown that is slightly raised at the center. The edge of the crown is indented and then raised to the height of the center of the crown. The sides of the crown are flat. A black…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.769
Explore record →
Source image for Black PowerLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Black Power

1968

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Large color lithographic poster published by The Organization of Solidarity with the People of Asia, African and Latin America (OSPAAAL) with the message "Retaliation to Crime: Revolutionary Violence" written in English, French, Spanish and Arabic below an…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2012.46.17.1
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Photographs and Still Images

Black Power

October 16, 1995

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

This black-and-white photograph depicts a man holding his right fist in the air. He is wearing sunglasses, a white shirt, a light colored jacket, and is carrying a twist top bottle and straw in his left hand. He is looking up and to the viewer's left.…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.99.41
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Books and Published Materials

Black Power and Liberation: A Communist View

1967

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Two copies of a pamphlet written by Claude Lightfoot (2010.55.58.1 and 2010.55.58.2). The front cover features black print on off-white paper. The interior consists of forty-six pages of text. The back of the pamphlet features an advertisement for New…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2010.55.58.1-.2
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Photographs and Still Images

Black Power Button

2010; printed 2019

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black-and-white photograph of a Black Power pinback button, by Platon. The round, white pinback button features a black-and-white illustration of a Black power fist. The fist is diagonally oriented with the fist extending upwards from the bottom right…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2021.33.24
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
ARCHIVE RECORD
Historical photographs & documents

Black Power Rally

1997

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Cataloged as “Black Power Rally” (Text).

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog NMAAHC.A2013.149.3, Item 5
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Visual Arts

Black Profile

1973

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A color linocut in blue, yellow, black and brown depicting a woman’s profile with yellow orb in the background. The woman appears in the bottom third of the image, facing the right side, depicted in black ink against a blue background. She wears a…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2023.111.92
Explore record →
Source image for Black purse with center clutch and silver hardwareLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black purse with center clutch and silver hardware

1950s - 1970s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black purse with a center clutch and silver hardware. The front and back of the purse are each made from one panel of black synthetic faille. A layer of non-woven stiffener is adhered to each outer panel for added structure. There are two straps that are…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.734
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black purse with embroidered floral deisgn from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Black purse with floral embroidered design from Mae's Millinery Shop. The bag has a soft body that is wider with rounded edges on the bottom and then squared on the shorter top edge. The front and back sides and the bottom are faced in an embroidered…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2016.48.83
Explore record →
Source image for Black purse with gold hardware and front flapLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black purse with gold hardware and front flap

1950s - 1960s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black leather purse with gold hardware and a front flap. The purse has a trapezoid shape and is wider at the bottom than the top. One panel of black leather makes up each side and there’s a 12” strap connected to the top of the purse with gold covered…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.735
Explore record →
Source image for Black purse with sequins and gold frameLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black purse with sequins and gold frame

late 20th century

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black purse with sequins and a gold frame The black sequin evening bag has a single strap that is attached to each side of the outer frame at the center. The strap is one and a quarter inch wide and is made of black synthetic grosgrain with plastic…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.1012
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black quilted jacket with gold applique by Jay Smith

1980s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black quilted jacket with gold applique by Jay Smith. The jacket is quilted and stuffed with a layer of batting. It features a high, rounded neckline and is composed of four panels of black velveteen – two for the front, which are joined via princess…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.347
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black quilted robe with gold applique by Jay Smith

1980s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black quilted robe with gold applique by Jay Smith. The black velveteen robe is quilted and is stuffed with a layer of batting. It features a high, rounded neckline that turns into a subtle v-neckline that overlaps slightly at chest level. Three types of…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.348
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black raffia and net cap from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Black raffia and net cap designed by Mae Reeves. The cap has a circular braided band at the base with six (6) braided bands on the top of the crown that attach at the center top. Three (3) braided loops stand upright at the top center, with a black velvet…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2016.48.10
Explore record →
Source image for Black raffia handbag with internal claspLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black raffia handbag with internal clasp

1950s-1960s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black raffia handbag with an internal clasp. The shoulder straps are made of black raffia and are tacked to the outside of the bag. A metal frame and clasp are at the center interior of the bag. Black raffia is wrapped around the metal frame. A pocket…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.978
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black raffia hat with brown and black decorations from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black braided raffia hat with brown net and black faux flower embellishments designed by Mae Reeves. The hat has a low round crown and a wide round brim made from braided black raffia. Dark brown net is sewn around the bottom edge of the brim, then…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2010.6.161
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black raffia hat with cream embellishments from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black raffia hat with cream chiffon, lace, and beaded embellishments designed by Mae Reeves. The hat is a rounded crown slightly taller in front with no brim and a single pleat at the center back. It is formed from black braided raffia sewn onto heavy…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2010.6.174
Explore record →
Source image for Black Raggedy Ann style doll with ivory dressLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Toys and Games

Black Raggedy Ann style doll with ivory dress

late 20th century

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black Raggedy Ann style doll (a) and dress (b). The doll’s head is made from two panels – one for the front and one for the back. Black looped acrylic yarn is inserted into the side seam of the head and looped through four horizontal rows at the back of…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.914ab
Explore record →
Source image for Black Republican and office-holder's journal (New York, N.Y.), August 10, 1865, (PARODY)Loading image…
BLACK PRESS
Black Press & Journalism

Black Republican and office-holder's journal (New York, N.Y.), August 10, 1865, (PARODY)

1865-08-10

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

This card identifies the front page of Black Republican and office-holder's journal (New York, N.Y.), August 10, 1865, (PARODY). The Library of Congress preserves this dated newspaper issue in its Chronicling America collection. Publication place recorded…

Library of CongressCatalog sn85042252 · 1865-08-10 · edition 1
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
ARCHIVE RECORD
Historical photographs & visual records

[Black rhinoceros in Lake Ngorongoro Crater Game Park], Tanzania

Date not recorded

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Cataloged as “[Black rhinoceros in Lake Ngorongoro Crater Game Park], Tanzania” (Slides (photographs)).

Smithsonian Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African ArtCatalog EEPA.2007-009, Item EEPA 2007-009-0494
Explore record →
COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Visual Arts

Black Room with Bitches Brew

2010

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

The central painted panel of an installation artwork, with assorted attached objects (.1.1-14). The panel (.1.1) is made from two (2) segments of wood secured together with a third section of wood attached vertically at center, forming an overall…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.148.1.1-14
Explore record →

Biographies, museum objects and archive records are distinct card types. Every card links to its historical source.