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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
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue and purple printed top with scarf collar

1960s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

An abstract printed blue and purple top with a scarf collar. The polyester top has a boat neckline. A self-fabric collar is sewn on the front of the blouse with a faux scarf which is sewn on the proper left side of the collar. The top has short sleeves and…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.846
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue and silver braided cap from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue and silver braided cap designed by Mae Reeves. The cap is made from buckram covered in blue and silver faux straw that is braided together. Small blue and silver sequins are adhered to the cap. The buckram is visible in the interior, there is no…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2010.6.146
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
brooches

Blue and silver rhinestone flower brooch from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue and silver pearlized rhinestone brooch found in 2010.6.55.1ab from Mae's Millinery Shop. It has a pin back closure with a safety clasp. The word "CATHÉ" is engraved on the center back.

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2010.6.55.12
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Source image for Blue and white bandana owned by Melvin Van PeeblesLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue and white bandana owned by Melvin Van Peebles

2000 - 2010

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A navy-blue bandana worn by Melvin Van Peebles. The square shaped bandana is made from cotton and has a large central abstract butterfly-like motif with a scalloped border around it. It’s surrounded by smaller, disparate abstract leaves and floral motifs.…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2024.60.23
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Source image for Blue and white check pattern pajama setLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue and white check pattern pajama set

1950s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue and white check pajama set (a-d). The set is made from synthetic twill (possibly rayon) and consists of four pieces. The shirt (a) opens center front and has a notched collar made from three panels of fabric seamed together. The body of the shirt is…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.736a-d
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue and white hat with blue tulle streamer from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Bucket-style hat designed by Mae Reeves made from clear plastic mesh formed into a high round crown and a short round brim. Pale blue and white plastic straw is woven into the mesh in a striped pattern. A pale blue tulle hat band is tied into a knot with a…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.213.7
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Source image for Blue and white jockey silks worn by Marlon St. JulienLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Sports Uniforms

Blue and white jockey silks worn by Marlon St. Julien

2013

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Custom made jockey silks worn by Marlon St. Julien. The pale blue, white, and gray jersey jacket is made from synthetic fabric, with the body made from a pale blue color and the sleeves a white color. A stripe of white fabric runs horizontally around the…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2020.43.1
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue and yellow hand painted button down shirt

1980s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue and yellow hand painted button down shirt. The shirt is made of a cotton and polyester blend and has a self-faced pointed collar. The shirt is hand painted and dyed in light blue. Yellow diamonds are painted on the front and back of the shirt. Black…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.213
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Source image for Blue and yellow hat with silk flowersLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue and yellow hat with silk flowers

ca. 1960

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A beret style hat with blue, yellow and white silk flowers and an elastic strap (a). The base of the crown is made of white rayon faille covered in cream silk crepe. Flowers made of silk organza and possibly a silk synthetic blend are hand tacked to the…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.471ab
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue and yellow print robe designed by Arthur McGee

late 20th century

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue and yellow block print robe designed by Arthur McGee. The robe is made of yellow cotton fabric block printed with black in a pattern of diamonds that alternate between filled and void. Inside each diamond is an oval, some are filled with lines.…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.129
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Source image for Blue ankle length skirt with slitLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue ankle length skirt with slit

1963-1974

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A teal blue ankle length skirt with a slit. The skirt is made of synthetic satin, it has a straight silhouette with a waistband. Four darts are sewn to the front of the skirt starting at the bottom of the waistband. The front of the skirt is made of one…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.632
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Source image for Blue armband issued to Massachusetts members of the SCLCLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Political and Activist Ephemera

Blue armband issued to Massachusetts members of the SCLC

ca. 1960-1964

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A dark blue wool felt armband issued to Massachusetts members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The armband features gold cotton thread embroidery on the front for “Mass. Unit S.C.L.C.” with white backing on the reverse. It is held closed…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2021.16.10.1
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue beaded evening bag belonging to Etta Moten Barnett

1945-1970

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

This is a blue beaded evening bag belonging to Etta Moten Barnett. The bag is a rectangular clutch with a hinged opening. The flap closes with a metal snap closure. The exterior of the bag is covered in tiny dark blue beads sewn into swirling patterns. The…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog A2022.13.1.57.1
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Source image for Blue belt with knotsLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue belt with knots

mid to late 20th century

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue belt with knots. The belt is made of two bias cut pieces of synthetic fabric that are seamed together to make one length of fabric. The synthetic is rolled and machine sewn along one edge. Each end of the belt ends in a knot.

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.852
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Textiles and Quilts

Blue, black, gray, and brown bedcover made from suiting samples

20th century

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A bedcover made from suiting fabrics in muted tones of blue, gray, black, brown, and burgundy hand sewn together with red thread using a herringbone stitch. The pieces are all of uniform rectangular size, suggesting they are from a salesman's sample or…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2013.162.9
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue bodice and skirt with white flower applique

1950s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue bodice and skirt with white flower applique. The bodice and skirt are made of dark blue cotton. The sleeveless bodice (a) has a square neckline with two-and-a-half-inch wide shoulder straps. Linen floral applique is hand sewn along the neckline and…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.253ab
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Source image for Blue braided pillbox with veilLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue braided pillbox with veil

1960s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue braided pillbox hat with a net veil. The hat is constructed using an open weave crochet foundation. Light blue synthetic yarn is the base material. Glued to the base yarn are a ribbon made of a woven transparent material and two light blue…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.515
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Source image for Blue cap with white pom-pomLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue cap with white pom-pom

1960s-1980s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue wool cap with a white pom-pom. The body of the hat is made from dark blue wool felt. The hat has a circular crown and curves inwards at the sides. There is a white wool pom pom adheared to the top of the crown. The brim at the front of the hat is…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.431
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Source image for Blue cloche with detached brimLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
cloches

Blue cloche with detached brim

ca. 1960

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blocked blue fur felt cloche (a). The crown of the hat is rounded and fits closely to the head. The sides of the hat are slightly longer than the center front and back. There is a dart on the proper right side of the hat. The edges of the hat are…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.437ab
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Source image for Blue cloche with velvet buckleLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue cloche with velvet buckle

1960s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue cloche with a matching ribbon and velvet buckle. The hat is made from blocked blue wool. The top of the crown is slightly indented at the center. The hat has a high crown with a blue petersham ribbon hat band secured with adhesive. A decorative…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.425
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Source image for Blue crayon from Mae's Millinery ShopLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
crayons

Blue crayon from Mae's Millinery Shop

1941-1994

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Portion of a dark blue crayon with a partial paper label.

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2010.6.55.6
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Source image for Blue crownless hat with sequinsLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue crownless hat with sequins

1980s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue crownless hat with white sequins. The body of the hat is composed of six panels of blue linen sewn together. There is a white sequined trim sewn around each panel. The hat is crownless and is lined with white sequined trim at the top. The upturned…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.493
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Source image for Blue denim jacketLoading image…
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue denim jacket

ca. 2000

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue denim jacket. The jacket has a collar and opens in the center front with six metal buttons on the proper left side. A yoke is sewn on the front and back of the jacket, a five inch wide patch pocket with a self fabric flap is sewn below the yoke on…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2007.3.899
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Clothing - Fashion and Historical

Blue denim jacket worn by Wilbert Rideau while incarcerated

late 20th century

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A blue denim jacket worn by Wilbert Rideau while incarcerated at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. The jacket has full-length sleeves and closes at the center front with a metal zipper and two (2) metal snaps, one at each end. At each front side…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2016.139.7
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