Autographed portrait of Deek Watson by M. Smith Studio: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A signed black-and-white photograph of Deek Watson. Watson wears a ring on both hands, a watch on his left wrist, and a bracelet on his right wrist. The photo is signed at top right: [To tiny great people / From Deek Watson / Just in case you / change your / mind / Lets Bow wo wo / wo wo "Ha Ha"]. Photographer's stamp on back reads [PHOTO BY M. SMITH / 243-251 W. 125TH STREET / MO. 2-3168 NEW YORK, N. / Credit line must be observed / Must not be syndicated, loaned or used for / advertising purposes without permission.]

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1940s - 1950s
• Photograph by: Marvin Smith, American, 1910 - 2003
• Photograph by: Morgan Smith, American, born 1910
• Subject of: Deek Watson, American, 1909 - 1969
• Type: gelatin silver prints
• Type: portraits
• Medium: silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
• Dimensions: H x W (Sheet): 10 × 8 in. (25.4 × 20.3 cm)
• Place made: Harlem, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Rhythm and blues (Music)
• Topic: Rock and roll (Music)
• Topic: Singers (Musicians)
• Object number: 2011.42.30
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Robert and Brenda Strong
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Unknown - Restrictions Possible Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.