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Photograph of Louis Armstrong and Velma Middleton

African American Museum

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
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    Object Details

    Photograph by

    Arsene Studio, American

    Subject of

    Velma Middleton, American, 1917 - 1961
    Louis Armstrong, American, 1901 - 1971
    Strand Theatre, American, 1914 - 1987

    Description

    A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Louis Armstrong and Velma Middleton standing on stage behind a microphone. They are standing side-by-side, looking towards the left side of the image, with their arms around each other’s backs. Armstrong hold his proper right arm up with his fingers curled and he holds his trumpet in his proper left hand behind Middleton’s back. Middleton holds her proper left hand up in a wave. Armstrong is depicted wearing a medium toned jacket and light pants. He has a comical expression on his face. Middleton is depicted wearing a long, belted dress with short sleeves and floral jewelry. An inscription in black ink in the lower right corner reads, [To Our Boy / With Love & / Kisses & Success / Always To / Willie / Sincerely / Velma & Pops]. On the back of the image is a stamp in black ink that reads, [PLEASE CREDIT ARSENE STUDIO / STRAND THEATRE BLDG., N. Y. C., N. Y.].

    Credit Line

    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Date

    ca. 1946

    Object number

    2013.46.25.87

    Restrictions & Rights

    Unknown - Restrictions Possible
    Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

    Type

    gelatin silver prints
    portraits

    Medium

    silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

    Dimensions

    H x W (Image): 9 1/2 × 7 9/16 in. (24.1 × 19.2 cm)
    H x W (Sheet): 9 15/16 × 8 1/16 in. (25.3 × 20.4 cm)

    Place made

    New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

    See more items in

    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

    Collection title

    The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection

    Classification

    Photographs and Still Images

    Data Source

    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Topic

    African American
    Entertainers
    Instrumentalists (Musicians)
    Jazz (Music)
    Nightlife
    Photography
    Singers (Musicians)
    Theatre

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd50d69b37f-8112-4dec-9d4f-3faa628bd7fa

    Record ID

    nmaahc_2013.46.25.87

    Discover More

    Ella Fitzgerald singing in front of a microphone

    Jazz in the Collections

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