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.

A poem written by Angelina Grimke.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
The cover of The Moon Illustrated Weekly.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A litany of Atlanta.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from John Hope to W.E.B. Dubois about their friendship.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A flier for a benefit featuring Aida Overton Walker.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
View of Jean Toomer.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A portrait of Alberta Hunter. Written on recto: All my love to my darling Harold Sincerely, Alberta
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A portrait of Bessie Smith. Written on recto: Photo, 1923, by Edward Elcha, courtesy of Rudi Blesh. Bessie Smith in 1923, the year of her first record, which sold 780,000 copies in six months.  It earned her only $125, but it established her as the leading blues singer.  From BESSIE SMITH: EMPRESS OF THE BLUES (Schirmer Books/Frank Music, April 15).
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from Harold Jackman to Alain Locke about a potential trip to England.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from Harold Jackman to Alain Locke regarding an appointment he made.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Langston Hughes smokes a cigarette while writing.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A postcard of Ethel Waters. Written on recto: May you never [?] this from C[?]ul To Prince
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A portrait of Wallace Thurman. Written on verso: Wallace Thurman (1902-1934) author of "The Blacker the Berry" "Infants of the Spring"
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A telegram from Wallace Thruman to Harold Jackman.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
"Song for a Suicide" Original Poem Signed by Langston Hughes, January 19, 1926
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from James Weldon Johnson to Claude McKay about revisions to a letter.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A letter from W.E.B. Du Bois to Countee Cullen.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A portrait of Claude McKay. Written on recto: Claude McKay, author of "Banjo" and "Home to Harlem," whose new novel, "Banana Bottom," will be published by Harper & Brothers on March 29th, has been living in Spain and Morocco for the last three years. The background of his novel is the island of Jamaica, British West Indies, where Mr. McKay was born. Written on verso: For Harold Jackman After a five year interval wit[?] the same sentiment. Claude McKay
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Rose McClendon dressed as Medea. Written on verso: Rose McClendon as Medea; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; Medea.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from Elizabeth Prophet to Harold Jackman asking for an address.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Asadata Dafora, Tuguese, Kykunkor, circa 1935
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Langston Hughes sits by a typewriter.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Henry Armstrong.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Paul Robeson Jr. standng with his arms crossed. Written on verso: circa 1937; London; From the collection of Carl Van Vechten; Paul Robeson, Jr.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Harold Jackman, 1932-1946
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Jerome Sidney Peterson, 1932-1953
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Emmett Wallace in a suit. Written on verso: "Babe" Wallace; see Ebony, May 1953; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission; January 6, 1933.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Ethel Waters, 1933-1939
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Altonell Hines with a large collar around her shoulders. Written on verso: Altonell Hines in "Four Saints in Three Acts" by Gertrude Stein and Virgil Thomson; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; Cannot be reproduced without permission; Date March 9, 1934; Number Xllle:31
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Edward Matthews dressed as St. Ignatus in Four Saints in Three Acts. Written on verso: Edward Matthews in "Four Saints in Three Acts" by Gertrude Stein and Virgil Thomson; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; Cannot be reproduced without permission; Date March 9, 1934.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Beatrice Wayne dressed as St. Theresa. Written on verso: Beatrice Robinson Wayne as St. Theresa No. I in "Four Saints in Three Acts" by Gertrude Stein and Virgil Thomson; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; Cannot be reproduced without permission; Date March 9, 1934.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Ethel Waters in costume for "As Thousands Cheer." Written on recto: To Loyd Jia[?]. Ethel 9/3/34. Written on verso: Ethel Waters in "As Thousands Cheer" 1934
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
A portrait of Claude McKay. Written on recto: To my friend Harold Jackman. Sincerely, Claude McKay
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Carl Van Vechten holding onto a chair.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Cab Calloway in front of a floral background.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Arna Bontemps standing with his son, Paul.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Zora Hurston sitting in front of a patterned background.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of William Attaway.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from James Weldon Johnson to Claude McKay regarding him being appointed the president of a group.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Archie Savage dancing. Written on verso: Archie Savage; Dancer; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Paul Robeson, 1933-1942
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Augusta Savage. Written on recto: To Harold Jackman; with life; Augusta Savage 1938.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from James Weldon Johnson to Claude McKay discussing their writing group.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Correspondence from James Weldon Johnson to Claude McKay about a potential fellowship.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Romare Bearden. Written on verso: Sgt Romare Bearden, artist.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Muriel Smith, circa 1944
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Ella Fitzgerald, January 19, 1940
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
An article about Katherine' Dunham's desire to establish a dance theatre.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Langston Hughes, 1940-1949
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
Portrait of Avon Long dancing. Written on verso: Avon Long, star in "Porgy and Bess"; Photograph by Carl Van Vechten; 101 Central Park West; Cannot be reproduced without permission.
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection