Popular Entertainment

This Museum's popular entertainment collections hold some of the Smithsonian's most beloved artifacts. The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz reside here, along with the Muppet character Kermit the Frog, and props from popular television series such as M*A*S*H and All in the Family. But as in many of the Museum's collections, the best-known objects are a small part of the story.

The collection also encompasses many other artifacts of 19th- and 20th-century commercial theater, film, radio, and TV—some 50,000 sound recordings dating back to 1903; posters, publicity stills, and programs from films and performances; puppets; numerous items from World's Fairs from 1851 to 1992; and audiovisual materials on Groucho Marx, to name only a few.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1981
ID Number
2005.3021.048
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1981
ID Number
2005.3021.047
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.047
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1980
ID Number
2005.3021.040
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.040
This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American jazz tenor saxophonist Lester Young (1909-1959) entitled Good-bye Porkpie Hat.
Description

This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American jazz tenor saxophonist Lester Young (1909-1959) entitled Good-bye Porkpie Hat. Print number 10/10.

Peter Bodge is a jazz drummer, art teacher, and printmaker in Massachusetts. Bodge creates linoleum prints and other works on paper. His work most often features portraits, action shots semi-abstract interpretations of such famous jazz musicians, such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Elllngton , Count Basie and John Coltrane. In 1977, Bodge created a short animated film based on the life of Charlie Parker entitled Bird Lives!:

https://www.cambridgecollege.edu/bird-lives-film-peter-bodge

Location
Currently not on view
printing date
1985
depicted
Young, Lester
artist
Bodge, Peter
ID Number
1989.0025.02
catalog number
1989.0025.02
accession number
1989.0025
This button is from the Peninsula Jazz Party in Palo Alto, California, in 1986. It has a pink background with black printing covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back. These buttons were used for all Jazz Party goers as admission tickets.
Description

This button is from the Peninsula Jazz Party in Palo Alto, California, in 1986. It has a pink background with black printing covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back. These buttons were used for all Jazz Party goers as admission tickets. The button is printed:

PENINSULA JAZZ
1986
FRIDAY
PARTY

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.033
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.033
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1985
ID Number
2005.3021.066
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.066
This button is from The Great American Dixieland Jazz Festival in San Diego, in 1985. It is a made of light blue paper with blue and red ink covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back.
Description

This button is from The Great American Dixieland Jazz Festival in San Diego, in 1985. It is a made of light blue paper with blue and red ink covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back. There is an image of clarinet and trumpet players on the front. The button is printed:

THE GREAT AMERICAN DIXIELAND JAZZ FESTIVAL
SAN DIEGO
1985

The non-profit organization, America’s Finest City Dixieland Jazz Society (AFCDJS) in San Diego, California, held its first Great American Dixieland Jazz Festival, in 1979. The festival now known as The San Diego Jazz Fest & Swing Extravaganza is held every Thanksgiving weekend. The organization supports the San Diego traditional jazz community with monthly concerts, education programs, publication of a newsletter, an adult traditional Jazz camp, and a lending library of small band music.

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.011
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.011
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1987
ID Number
2016.0032.077
accession number
2016.0032
catalog number
2016.0032.077
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1987
recording artist
Motley Crue
ID Number
1996.3034.05490
nonaccession number
1996.3034
catalog number
1996.3034.05490
maker number
7-69465
This button is from the Paradise Valley Jazz Party in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1986. It has a red background with white printing covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back.
Description

This button is from the Paradise Valley Jazz Party in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1986. It has a red background with white printing covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back. There is an image of jazz trumpeter, Joe Newman (?), in the center of the button. These buttons were given to all Jazz Party goers as admission tickets and to simplify the billing for food and beverages. The button is printed:

PARADISE VALLEY
JAZZ PARTY 1986
165

The Paradise Jazz Party was founded by Don Z. and Sue Miller, owners of a finance company and a motorcycle dealership, in 1978. Denver businessman Dick Gibson, of the Colorado Jazz Parties, helped the Millers start a similar event in Arizona.

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.027
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.027
This button is from South Coast Metro Jazz weekend in Orange County, California, in 1989. It is made of white paper with black and orange ink covered with a clear film, on a two-piece metal button with a pin back.
Description

This button is from South Coast Metro Jazz weekend in Orange County, California, in 1989. It is made of white paper with black and orange ink covered with a clear film, on a two-piece metal button with a pin back. The button is printed:

LORELEI PRODUCTIONS
SOUTH COAST
METRO JAZZ
JULY 28, 29, 30, 1989
ORANGE COUNTY CENTENNIAL

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1989
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.048
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.048
This award was presented to Morris Blum, owner of radio station WANN (1190 AM), by The Federal Emergency Broadcast System, in 1987. It is a brown-stained wood plaque with a brass plate. The plate is printed:EBSExceptional ServiceAwardPresented toMR.
Description (Brief)

This award was presented to Morris Blum, owner of radio station WANN (1190 AM), by The Federal Emergency Broadcast System, in 1987. It is a brown-stained wood plaque with a brass plate. The plate is printed:

EBS
Exceptional Service
Award
Presented to
MR. MORRIS BLUM
MARCH 30, 1987
for exceptional voluntary
service on behalf of the
Nation's Emergency Broadcast System
Edward J. Minkel
Managing Director
Federal Communication Commission

WANN (1190 AM) was a radio station based out of Annapolis, Maryland that primarily served the area's growing African American community. Morris Blum founded it in 1946, and it broadcast to the entire mid-Atlantic region. The station was home to disc jockey Charles "Hoppy" Adams starting in the early 1950s. Adams hosted weekly events at a local African American only beach, Carr's Beach, which were popular with the area's youth population.

WANN continued to program gospel, rhythm and blues, and public affairs features until 1992 when the station changed to a mainstream country format with the catchphrase “Bay Country 1190.” Around 1998, the station changed ownership and became WBIS, broadcasting a News Talk Information format.

Location
Currently not on view
presentation date
1987
recipient
Blum, Morris H.
manufacturer
Award Crafters, Inc.
ID Number
2002.0319.04
accession number
2002.0319
catalog number
2002.0319.04
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1985
ID Number
2005.3021.063
nonaccession number
2005.3021
catalog number
2005.3021.063
Mongo Santamaría . Mongo Magic (Roulette 520389)album onlyCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Mongo Santamaría . Mongo Magic (Roulette 520389)
album only
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1983
recording artist
Santamaria, Ramon "Mongo"
maker
Roulette
ID Number
2005.0030.12
accession number
2005.0030
catalog number
2005.0030.12
This harmonica was made by Marty Toy in Taiwan, 1985. It is a Charmin' Charms toy harmonica, with 4 single holes. This harmonica is made of a yellow plastic comb and cover plates with metal jingle and plastic connector.
Description

This harmonica was made by Marty Toy in Taiwan, 1985. It is a Charmin' Charms toy harmonica, with 4 single holes. This harmonica is made of a yellow plastic comb and cover plates with metal jingle and plastic connector. In original sealed packaging.

Made for and distributed by Marty Toy in Brooklyn, New York.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1985
maker
Marty Toy
ID Number
1988.0783.446
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.446
This sheet music is for the song “Happy Birthday,” by Stevie Wonder. It was published by Columbia Pictures Publishing in Haleah, Florida in 1980. Stevie Wonder wrote this song as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Happy Birthday,” by Stevie Wonder. It was published by Columbia Pictures Publishing in Haleah, Florida in 1980. Stevie Wonder wrote this song as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. in the crusade for creating a national holiday on King’s birthday.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1980
depicted (sitter)
Wonder, Stevie
publisher
Columbia Pictures Publications
ID Number
1985.0403.06
accession number
1985.0403
catalog number
1985.0403.06
Diana Ross. side 1: Missing You; side 2: We Are the Children of the World (RCA PB-13966)45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Diana Ross. side 1: Missing You; side 2: We Are the Children of the World (RCA PB-13966)
45 rpm. Accessioned with original printed sleeve.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1984
recording artist
Ross, Diana
manufacturer
RCA
ID Number
1996.3034.06757
catalog number
1996.3034.06757
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
PB-13966
This button is from the Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, California, in 1986. It is a made of white paper with black ink covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back.
Description

This button is from the Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, California, in 1986. It is a made of white paper with black ink covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back. The button is printed:

Monterey Jazz
Jazz Festival
Press
G.O.
1986

The Monterey Jazz Festival was founded by jazz disc jockey Jimmy Lyons, in 1958. The festival is held annually on the Monterey County Fairgrounds on the third full weekend in September. Since its inception, the festival has grown to become one of the most prominent and diverse jazz experiences in the world. The Monterey Jazz Festival is a non-profit organization that supports jazz education through jazz in the school programs, summer jazz camp, artist-in-residence, next generation jazz festival, and scholarships.

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.007
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.007
Red bandana worn by Willie Nelson. Black and white print.
Description (Brief)

Red bandana worn by Willie Nelson. Black and white print. Decorated with picture of WIllie Nelson, some of his song titles, the state of Texas, etc.

Inspired by Live Aid, the international benefit concert for Ethiopian famine victims, Willie Nelson and other singers established Farm Aid in 1985 to support family farmers in the United States.

date made
ca 1980s
associated person
Nelson, Willie
ID Number
1983.0551.02
accession number
1983.0551
catalog number
1983.0551.02
This case was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, in the 1980s. It is a conga case, made of fiber, on wheels, with plastic handle, and remnant of webbing strap (replaced with cord).
Description (Brief)

This case was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, in the 1980s. It is a conga case, made of fiber, on wheels, with plastic handle, and remnant of webbing strap (replaced with cord). The case contains extra carrying straps (2 black shoulder straps, 1 reddish-brown shoulder strap, and 1 green-brown shoulder strap, original purpose not known). Previously used by Afro-Latin jazz percussionist Ramon "Mongo" Santamaría.

Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría Rodríguez (1917–2003) was a Cuban percussionist and bandleader who spent most of his career in the United States. Primarily a conga drummer, Santamaría was a leading figure in the pachanga and boogaloo dance crazes of the 1960s. From the 1970s, he recorded mainly salsa and Latin jazz, before retiring in the late 1990s. Santamaria made several recordings as a leader of his own group, as well as a sideman with Fania All-Stars, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ray Charles.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980s
user
Santamaria, Ramon "Mongo"
ID Number
2005.0030.01.01
catalog number
2005.0030.01.01
accession number
2005.0030
This circular button marks the fifth anniversary of release of the IBM PC. On the white background there is a large red number 5 with small red squares on background. Charlie Chaplin, in black and with a cane carries the 5.Currently not on view
Description
This circular button marks the fifth anniversary of release of the IBM PC. On the white background there is a large red number 5 with small red squares on background. Charlie Chaplin, in black and with a cane carries the 5.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c 1986
maker
IBM
ID Number
2009.3071.019
catalog number
2009.3071.019
nonaccession number
2009.3071
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1989
ID Number
2016.0032.078
accession number
2016.0032
catalog number
2016.0032.078
This button is from the Willie Humphrey Preservation Hall concert in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1986. It is a made of red paper with black ink covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back.
Description

This button is from the Willie Humphrey Preservation Hall concert in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1986. It is a made of red paper with black ink covered with a clear film, on a round two-piece metal button with a pin back. Willie Humphrey would hand out these buttons at moments when as he danced during the show. The button is printed:

WILLIE HUMPHREY
'86
PRESERVATION
HALL
I DANCED WITH WILLIE

William James Humphrey (1900-1994), born in a family of musicians, was a New Orleans jazz clarinetist. Humphrey performed with several New Orleans groups including the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Excelsior Brass Band.

Floyd Levin (1922-2007) was a Los Angeles textile manufacturer who turned his passion for jazz into a second career as an influential jazz journalist and historian. His numerous reviews, profiles, and articles were published in magazines such as Down Beat, Jazz Journal International, Metronome, and American Rag. He also authored Classic Jazz: A Personal View of the Music and the Musicians. Items in this collection (2011.3086) were acquired from Levin’s attendance at Jazz Festivals, conferences, and other music events.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1986
user
Levin, Floyd
ID Number
2011.3086.025
nonaccession number
2011.3086
catalog number
2011.3086.025
This plaque was presented to Bobby Short by the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), in 1986. It is made of medium-brown stained wood plaque, with an engraved metal plate with portraits of past NAACP Presidents.
Description (Brief)

This plaque was presented to Bobby Short by the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), in 1986. It is made of medium-brown stained wood plaque, with an engraved metal plate with portraits of past NAACP Presidents. The plate is engraved:

An Evening with Bobby Short
OUR TRIBUTE TO FIFTY GOLDEN YEARS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE
Alice Tully Hall. Lincoln Center for the
Performing Arts
New York, New York
November 3, 1986

This commemorative plaque was for a benefit concert, “An Evening with Bobby Short,” presented by the NAACP in Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, on November 3, 1986.

.
Location
Currently not on view
presentation date
1986
recipient
Short, Bobby
presenter
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
maker
Simba Awards Ltd.
ID Number
2006.0071.17
accession number
2006.0071
catalog number
2006.0071.17

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