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Museum object · Photographs and Still Images

Carte-de-visite of a sailor named Jim

late 19th century

Smithsonian NMAAHC collection

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

An off white and black studio photograph of an African American sailor standing with his right hand resting on a small pillar. His left hand is resting on his hip and his left arm is bent at the elbow. He is wearing a sailor’s uniform with an unidentifiable lozenge on left sleeve. A book is on the pillar and a curtain is on the left side of the photograph. Below the image written in pencil is “Jim” and “my servant.” The photograph is inscribed on the back.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2011.155.55

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