Advertisement for Madam C. J. Walker products: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

Double-sided full-page advertisement for Madam C. J. Walker. Yellowed paper printed in dark brown. The front features various images including a portrait of Walker, at top left, a portrait of A'Lelia Walker, top right, and Mae Walker, bottom left. It also shows an image of a large building, images of Walker's products. Text at the top reads "From A Slave Cabin to Riches / and a Benefactress to Her Race / The Spirit of Mme. C.J. Walker / Still Lives as is Evidenced in the / Conclusion of Her Life's Fondest Dream." The reverse is titled at the top, "Attractive Faces and Beautiful Hair / are the symbols of success!" Underneath are two illustrations. One shows a woman having her hair washed. The other shows a woman sitting at a vanity. At the center of the page is a white partial-oval with brown text titled "Mme. C.J. Walker's Preparations/ HOW TO USE THEM TO GET ACTUAL RESULTS." Images of Walker's products are arranged around the oval. The advertisement is housed in a gold-painted wooden frame with clear glass on each side.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1906-1950
• Published by: Unidentified
• Subject of: Madam C.J. Walker, American, 1867 - 1919
• Subject of: Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company, American, founded 1906
• Subject of: A'Lelia Walker, American, 1885 - 1931
• Subject of: Mae Walker, American, 1898 - 1945
• Subject of: Unidentified Woman or Women
• Type: advertisements
• Medium: ink on paper
• Dimensions: Sheet: H x W: 21 3/8 x 15 5/16 in. (54.3 x 38.9 cm)
• Dimensions: Frame: H x W: 22 7/8 x 16 7/8 in. (58.1 x 42.9 cm)
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Advertising
• Topic: Beauty culture
• Topic: Business
• Topic: Women
• Object number: 2013.153.11.2
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of A'Lelia Bundles / Madam Walker Family Archives
• 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.