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Pair of loafers worn and autographed by James Brown

African American Museum

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    Object Details

    Created by

    Rossi, Italian, founded 1968

    Worn by

    James Brown, American, 1933 - 2006

    Description

    A pair of black and cream patent leather loafers signed by James Brown on the top of each shoe in red ink (faded to pink) on the uppers of the toes "James / Brown" on the right shoe and "The / Godfather / of / Soul" on the left. The shoes have black along the bottom of the upper with a cream upper part of the sides of the backs and a cream upper toe and tongue. The foot opening is trimmed in black patent leather. There is a wide black faux strap across the top arch with a decorative metal pin shaped like a buckle affixed at the exterior side over the band. Both shores are stamped in gold "ROSSI / MADE IN ITALY" at the interior heel. The insole is dark tan and reaches only halfway down and has a cushioned heel. Beneath the tongue is a slit in the leather that is connected by a length of wide cream elastic. The soles are leather and the heels are wood painted black with a rubber pad nailed to the bottom. On the bottom of the right shoe in front of the heel there is text handwritten in black ink that reads: "SCENE 2". To the left of this text is a hand-colored black ink rectangle. Below the text is a white round sticker that appears to be missing its top layer. Sizing and other information is stamped on the inner interior side of each upper, but is illegible.

    Credit Line

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

    Date

    1970s

    Object number

    2012.64.3ab

    Restrictions & Rights

    No Known Copyright Restrictions
    Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

    Type

    shoes (footwear)

    Medium

    patent leather with wood, rubber, metal, and elastic

    Dimensions

    2012.64.3a: 3 7/8 x 3 15/16 x 11 7/8 in. (9.8 x 10 x 30.2 cm)
    2012.64.3b: 3 7/8 x 3 15/16 x 11 7/8 in. (9.8 x 10 x 30.2 cm)

    Place made

    Milan, Italy, Europe

    See more items in

    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

    Classification

    Clothing - Fashion and Historical

    Data Source

    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Topic

    African American
    Clothing and dress
    Fashion
    Rhythm and blues (Music)
    Soul (Music)

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd52df0271d-5279-44e7-8123-e317c2b747dc

    Record ID

    nmaahc_2012.64.3ab

    Discover More

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    James Brown: Godfather of Soul

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