The Cullen Jackman Memorial Collection (1881-1995) documents the artistic and creative nature of those of African descent. A series of note within this collection are the photographs by Carl Van Vechten, an American writer, artistic photographer, and patron of the Harlem Renaissance. An appreciator of the arts, Van Vechten promoted many of the major figures of the Renaissance through his photography, including Langston Hughes, Paul Robeson, Rose McClendon, and Ethel Waters. At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
May 20, 2022

Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection

The Cullen Jackman Memorial Collection (1881-1995) documents the artistic and creative nature of those of African descent. A series of note within this collection are the photographs by Carl Van Vechten, an American writer, artistic photographer, and patron of the Harlem Renaissance. An appreciator of the arts, Van Vechten promoted many of the major figures of the Renaissance through his photography, including Langston Hughes, Paul Robeson, Rose McClendon, and Ethel Waters.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu.
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Nora Douglas Holt, circa 1955
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Nora Douglas Holt, circa 1955
Date Created
1948/1958
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American composers, African Americans--Music, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
William Gardner Smith, December 10, 1948
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
William Gardner Smith, December 10, 1948
Date Created
1948-12-10
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American authors, African American journalists, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Everett Lee, November 12, 1948
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Everett Lee, November 12, 1948
Date Created
1948-11-12
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American musicians, African Americans--Music, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Ann Petry, November 12, 1948
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Ann Petry, November 12, 1948
Date Created
1948-11-12
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American authors, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Dots Johnson, June 26, 1948
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Dots Johnson, June 26, 1948
Date Created
1948-06-26
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American actors, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Dorothy West, May 17, 1948
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Dorothy West, May 17, 1948
Date Created
1948-05-17
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American authors, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Cedric Dover. Written on recto: For Harold with every good wish, Cedric. Written on verso: The late Cedric Dover, Eurasian at one time on the faculty at Fisk University, and author of the famous book on Negro art, for which Harold Jackman furnished much of the material; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; April 15, 1948.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Cedric Dover, April 15, 1948
Date Created
1948-04-15
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Description
Portrait of Cedric Dover. Written on recto: For Harold with every good wish, Cedric. Written on verso: The late Cedric Dover, Eurasian at one time on the faculty at Fisk University, and author of the famous book on Negro art, for which Harold Jackman furnished much of the material; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; April 15, 1948.
Subject
African American arts, African American authors, African American scholars, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Ellis Wilson, April 15, 1948
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Ellis Wilson, April 15, 1948
Date Created
1948-04-15
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American artists, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Edna Thomas, March 8, 1948
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Edna Thomas, March 8, 1948
Date Created
1948-03-08
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American actors, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Anne Brown, February 18, 1948
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Anne Brown, February 18, 1948
Date Created
1948-02-18
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American singers, African Americans--Music, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Josephine Schuyler sitting in front of a patterned background. Written on verso: Mrs. George S. Schuyler; Mother of Philippa Duke Schuyler; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; February 18, 1948.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Josephine Schuyler, February 18, 1948
Date Created
1948-02-18
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Description
Portrait of Josephine Schuyler sitting in front of a patterned background. Written on verso: Mrs. George S. Schuyler; Mother of Philippa Duke Schuyler; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; February 18, 1948.
Subject
Authors, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Earle Hyman, 1947-1956
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Earle Hyman, 1947-1956
Date Created
1947/1959
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American actors, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Charles Spurgeon Johnson, 1947-1948
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Charles Spurgeon Johnson, 1947-1948
Date Created
1947/1948
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American sociologists, African American universities and colleges, African Americans--Education, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A letter from Harold Jackman to Jacob Lawrence.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Letter From Harold Jackman, December 22, 1947
Date Created
1947-12-22
Description
A letter from Harold Jackman to Jacob Lawrence.
Subject
African American men, Harlem Renaissance, African American arts
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Dan Burley in front of a flowered background. Written on verso: Dan Burley; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; November 13, 1947.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Dan Burley, November 13, 1947
Date Created
1947-11-13
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Description
Portrait of Dan Burley in front of a flowered background. Written on verso: Dan Burley; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; November 13, 1947.
Subject
African American arts, African American journalists, African American musicians, African Americans--Music, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Robert Todd Duncan, June 19, 1947
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Robert Todd Duncan, June 19, 1947
Date Created
1947-06-19
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American singers, African Americans--Music, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Richmond Barth� looking over his shoulder. Written on verso: Richmond Barth�; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; June 13, 1947.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Richmond Barthe, June 13, 1947
Date Created
1947-06-13
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Description
Portrait of Richmond Barth� looking over his shoulder. Written on verso: Richmond Barth�; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; June 13, 1947.
Subject
African American arts, African American artists, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Willard Motley, June 13, 1947
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Willard Motley, June 13, 1947
Date Created
1947-06-13
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American authors, African American journalists, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
An article written on Josephe A. Borome's announcement as head of Columbia University's library. It also details his academic and professional pursuits since his time at City College. Written on recto: N.Y. Times June 11, 1947
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Josephe A. Borome News Clipping, June 1947
Date Created
1947-06
Description
An article written on Josephe A. Borome's announcement as head of Columbia University's library. It also details his academic and professional pursuits since his time at City College. Written on recto: N.Y. Times June 11, 1947
Subject
African American librarians, African Americans--Education
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Hall Johnson, May 24, 1947
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Hall Johnson, May 24, 1947
Date Created
1947-05-24
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American composers, African Americans--Music, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Horace Cayton holding a cigarette in front of a brick background. Written on verso: Horace Cayton at Fisk University; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; April 26, 1947.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Horace Cayton, April 26, 1947
Date Created
1947-04-26
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Description
Portrait of Horace Cayton holding a cigarette in front of a brick background. Written on verso: Horace Cayton at Fisk University; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; April 26, 1947.
Subject
African American arts, African American sociologists, African American journalists, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of John Work.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
John Wesley Work III, April 26, 1947
Date Created
1947-04-26
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Description
Portrait of John Work.
Subject
African American arts, African American composers, African American musicians, African Americans--Music, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Carol Brice, April 10, 1947
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Carol Brice, April 10, 1947
Date Created
1947-04-10
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American singers, African Americans--Music, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Claude Marchant, February 21, 1947
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Claude Marchant, February 21, 1947
Date Created
1947-02-21
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American dancers, Theatre and dance, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Josh White, August 13, 1946
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Josh White, August 13, 1946
Date Created
1946-08-13
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American musicians, African American singers, African Americans--Music, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of W. E. B. Du Bois in front of a patterned background. Written on verso: W. E. Burghardt Du Bois; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; July 18, 1946.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
W. E. B. Du Bois, July 18, 1946
Date Created
1946-07-18
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Description
Portrait of W. E. B. Du Bois in front of a patterned background. Written on verso: W. E. Burghardt Du Bois; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; July 18, 1946.
Subject
African American arts, African American sociologists, African American scholars, African American authors, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Shirley Graham. Written on verso: Shirley Graham; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; July 18, 1946.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Shirley Graham, July 18, 1946
Date Created
1946-07-18
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Description
Portrait of Shirley Graham. Written on verso: Shirley Graham; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; July 18, 1946.
Subject
African American arts, African American authors, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Mbonu Ojike, July 17, 1946
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Mbonu Ojike, July 17, 1946
Date Created
1946-07-17
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American authors, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Ruby Hill, July 2, 1946
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Ruby Hill, July 2, 1946
Date Created
1946-07-02
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American actors, African American singers, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Camilla Ella Williams, May 31, 1946
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Camilla Ella Williams, May 31, 1946
Date Created
1946-05-31
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American singers, African Americans--Music, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Ulysses Kay, May 23, 1946
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Ulysses Kay, May 23, 1946
Date Created
1946-05-23
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American composers, African Americans--Music, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Leo Coleman, May 18, 1946
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Leo Coleman, May 18, 1946
Date Created
1946-05-18
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American dancers, Theatre and dance, African American actors, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from Alain Locke to Harold Jackman discussing his work for the university.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence Between Harold Jackman and Alain Locke, April 7, 1946
Date Created
1946-04-07
Description
Correspondence from Alain Locke to Harold Jackman discussing his work for the university.
Subject
African American men, Harlem Renaissance, African American authors
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from Alain Locke to Harold Jackman about teaching as a visiting professor.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence Between Harold Jackman and Alain Locke, January 26, 1946
Date Created
1946-01-26
Description
Correspondence from Alain Locke to Harold Jackman about teaching as a visiting professor.
Subject
African American men, Harlem Renaissance, African American authors
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Pearl Bailey and Others, 1946-1950
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Pearl Bailey and Others, 1946-1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American actors, African American singers, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Dick Campbell, circa 1950
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Dick Campbell, circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American actors, African American businesspeople, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Jacob Lawrence sitting with his hands on his knees.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Jacob Lawrence, circa 1950
Date Created
1945/1955
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Description
Portrait of Jacob Lawrence sitting with his hands on his knees.
Subject
African American arts, African American artists, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
An invitation from the American Theatre Wing.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Stage Door Canteen Invitation, October 29, 1945
Date Created
1945-10-29
Description
An invitation from the American Theatre Wing.
Subject
Theatre and dance, World War (1939-1945), Groups and organizations
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A letter from Joseph Bell.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Letter from Joseph Bell, October 19, 1945
Date Created
1945-10-19
Description
A letter from Joseph Bell.
Subject
Theatre and dance, World War (1939-1945), Groups and organizations
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Marian Anderson, circa 1949
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Marian Anderson, circa 1949
Date Created
1944/1954
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American singers, African Americans--Music, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Josephine Baker and Others, 1949-1951
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Josephine Baker and Others, 1949-1951
Date Created
1944/1954
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American entertainers, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from Carl Van Vechten to Harold Jackman regarding a man that attended the Ballet.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence Between Carl Van Vechten and Harold Jackman, November 27, 1944
Date Created
1944-11-27
Description
Correspondence from Carl Van Vechten to Harold Jackman regarding a man that attended the Ballet.
Subject
African American men, Harlem Renaissance, African American educators
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Muriel Rahn, 1944-1950
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Muriel Rahn, 1944-1950
Date Created
1944
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American singers, African American actors, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Janet Collins With Others, 1943-1955
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Janet Collins With Others, 1943-1955
Date Created
1943/1955
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, African American dancers, Theatre and dance, African American women, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A early manuscript of Another Country written by James Baldwin.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
James Baldwin Manuscript, circa 1948
Date Created
1943/1953
Description
A early manuscript of Another Country written by James Baldwin.
Subject
African American authors
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Stage Door Canteen, 1943-1956
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Stage Door Canteen, 1943-1956
Date Created
1943/1946
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Subject
African American arts, Armed Forces, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from Carl Van Vechten to Harold Jackman requesting labeled photographs.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence Between Carl Van Vechten and Harold Jackman, September 27, 1943
Date Created
1943-09-27
Description
Correspondence from Carl Van Vechten to Harold Jackman requesting labeled photographs.
Subject
African American men, Harlem Renaissance, African American educators
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Roi Ottley. Written on recto: For Harold Jackman; with personal and [?] regards; Roi Ottley; 9/26/43.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Roi Ottley, September 26, 1943
Date Created
1943-09-26
Creator
Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
Description
Portrait of Roi Ottley. Written on recto: For Harold Jackman; with personal and [?] regards; Roi Ottley; 9/26/43.
Subject
African American arts, African American authors, African American journalists, Portraits and people
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
An American Theatre Wing War Service ID card for Harold Jackman.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
American Theatre Wing War Service ID card, June 1, 1943
Date Created
1943-06-01
Description
An American Theatre Wing War Service ID card for Harold Jackman.
Subject
African American men, Theatre and dance, World War (1939-1945)
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from Alain Locke to Harold Jackman about an address.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence Between Harold Jackman and Alain Locke, February 15, 1943
Date Created
1943-02-15
Description
Correspondence from Alain Locke to Harold Jackman about an address.
Subject
African American men, Harlem Renaissance, African American authors
Collection
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection