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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

Source image for Black suede vest worn by Melvin Van PeeblesLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black suede vest worn by Melvin Van Peebles

2000 - 2010

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black suede leather vest worn by Melvin Van Peebles. The leather vest has two front leather panels, and it closes at the center front with three, brass metal snaps. The buttons are stamped with a five-pointed star at the center and text around exterior…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2024.60.9
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black suit jacket, beaded vest, satin shirt, and pants by Renato Balestra

ca. 1990

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Men's black tuxedo jacket (.1), beaded vest (.2), black satin shirt (.3), and tuxedo pants (.4) by Renato Balestra. The tuxedo jacket (.1) has a black satin notched lapel and full-length straight sleeves. Six (6) black satin covered buttons are sewn, three…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2015.141.37.1-.4
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black suit vest by FUBU

1992-2007

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black tuxedo vest designed by FUBU. The exterior of the vest is made of black synthetic satin weave with machine embroidery that reads [Fubu] in black thread. A stiffener is placed at the front of the vest in-between the exterior fabric and the lining.…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.50.3
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black sweatpants by DALINKWENT wear

1995-2005

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A pair of black sweatpants made by DALINKWENT Wear. The pant legs are tapered and have elastic at the bottom. Each pant leg is made from two panels of fabric. The seams are in the interior and the exterior of the pant leg. There is an elastic waistband…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.46
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Source image for Black synthetic satin slipLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black synthetic satin slip

late 20th century

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black synthetic satin slip or cape. The slip is made of one panel, it is gathered at the top of the skirt and opens at one side with a pair of metal snaps on each side. A cotton twill band is machine sewn along the interior at the top of the garment. The…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.833
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Source image for Black synthetic twill pillbox hatLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black synthetic twill pillbox hat

1960s-1980s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black synthetic twill pillbox hat. The top of the crown and the sides of the crown are made of separate panels which are machine sewn together. The side of the crown is made of two panels of synthetic twill. The top panel extends slightly above the top…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.779
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black t-shirt for the band Almost September

2008

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black crew neck fitted t-shirt with discharge-dyed splatters. There is one large splatter on the front of the t-shirt with scrollwork letters "A / S" screen-printed in black. The back of the t-shirt has a splatter at the center bottom with this same logo…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2011.118.1
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black t-shirt for the MTV television show Celebrity Rap Superstar

2007

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black crew neck t-shirt with a screen-printed design of the logo for the MTV television show "Celebrity Rap Superstar". A manufacturer's tag with a size small tag is attached at the interior center back neck.

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2011.118.5
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Source image for Black t-shirt printed with "Black Lives Matter"Loading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
T-shirts

Black t-shirt printed with "Black Lives Matter"

2015

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black T-shirt with white lettering on the front. The text on the shirt reads “BLACK / LIVES / MATTER.”.

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2016.43.2
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black t-shirt with a photograph of MC Sha-Rock owned by MC Lyte

1990-2010

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Black crew neck fitted t-shirt with a screen-printed image in silver and gray at the center front. The image is a photograph of MC Sha-Rock wearing a t-shirt that says "I'M SHA ROCK AN [illegible]". Printed above the photograph is the text "MOTHER OF THE…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2011.118.7
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black T-shirt with Cross Colours logo

1992

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black cotton short sleeve T-shirt with a Cross Colours logo. The shirt has a ribbed crew neck and a printed graphic on the center front of the chest. The printed circular logo reads [CROSS / COLOURS] around the circular border with a large dot between…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2023.76.10
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black t-shirt with special edition design by Happy I'm Nappy Collectibles

ca. 1995

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black t-shirt by Happy I'm Nappy Collectibles. At the front center of the shirt is a design featuring nine illustrated female faces arranged in a square; three of the women have curly hair, three have braided hair, and three have locked hair. All nine…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2019.27.6
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Source image for Black tail coat with white pocket handkerchief worn by Cab CallowayLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Costume

Black tail coat with white pocket handkerchief worn by Cab Calloway

1976-1995

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

(a) A black swallow-tailed coat worn by Cab Calloway. The coat is made of a black wool and synthetic blend fabric with black satin peaked lapels and straight cuffless sleeves. There are two (2) decorative round black plastic buttons, one at each outside…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.237.4.1ab
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Source image for Black tailcoat by Carl DavisLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black tailcoat by Carl Davis

1980s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black tailcoat by Carl Davis. The coat features a single notched collar with a satin lapel. There is a welted breast pocket on the proper right side lined with black cotton. Three decorate metal buttons are hand sewn on each side of the front opening.…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.788
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Source image for Black textured wool bodice and skirt with laceLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black textured wool bodice and skirt with lace

1890s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black textured wool bodice and skirt with lace trim, possibly a mourning dress. The bodice (a) is made of a wool and viscose blended texted weave with undulating warp floats. The band collar and yoke are made of silk synthetic cream satin and is overlaid…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.645ab
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BIOGRAPHYPortrait not availableExplore the life, work and source references.
BIOGRAPHY
Music

Black the Ripper

1986–2020

Dean West (28 December 1986 – April 2020), better known by his stage name Black the Ripper, was a British rapper, grime emcee, activist, cannabis activist, and entrepreneur from Edmonton, London. He ran his own record label, Dank of England (formerly known…

Wikipedia contributors
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Books and Published Materials

Black Theater: The Drama Review, Volume 12, Number 4

1968

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A paperback journal with black cover, The Drama Review: Volume 12, Number 4. The subtitle of this volume is Black Theater. The front cover is black with white text and illustration. At the top of the cover is the masthead with the publication’s subtitle…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2015.64.6
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
neckties

Black tie worn by Tuskegee Airman Woodrow W. Crockett

ca. 2007

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Black necktie worn by Woodrow W. Crockett. The tie has a red tag on back that has white type reading, [Oscar de la Renta].

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.78.4.5
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Costume

Black top hat from Hello Dolly worn by Cab Callaway

1967-1970

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black top hat from Hello Dolly worn by Cab Callaway. The top hat is plain black in color and features a black ribbon hat band at the base of the crown. The hat band terminates in a flat bow on the proper left side. The interior of the hat is lined with a…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog A2015.273.1.11
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Source image for Black track jacket worn by Melvin Van PeeblesLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black track jacket worn by Melvin Van Peebles

2000 - 2010

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A Marty Grace tracksuit jacket worn by Melvin Van Peebles. The black tracksuit jacket features a high collar made from a 2.5” wide band of ribbed white elastic with two vertical black stripes. Two panels of black polyester fabric make up the jacket front…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2024.60.7.1
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Source image for Black track suit pants worn by Melvin Van PeeblesLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black track suit pants worn by Melvin Van Peebles

2000 - 2010

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Marty Grace track pants jacket worn by Melvin Van Peebles. The black polyester, fleece-lined track pants have an elastic panel at the waistband and feature a straight leg silhouette. Embroidered white text across the hips reads [MARTY] on the proper right…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2024.60.7.2
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black tuxedo jacket and pants designed by Arthur McGee

1965-1990

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black tuxedo jacket and pants designed by Arthur McGee. The wool blend jacket (a) is single breasted and closes with one black plastic button on the proper right side by the center front opening. A buttonhole is sewn next to the button which aligns with…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.130ab
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Black tuxedo jacket by FUBU

1992-2007

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black tuxedo jacket designed by FUBU (a). The jacket is made from black worsted wool, it is single-breasted with a notched lapel trimmed in black satin. The back of the collar is faced with wool felt. One buttonhole is placed on the proper left lapel.…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.50.1ab
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Biographies, museum objects and archive records are distinct card types. Every card links to its historical source.