This collection includes postcards from 45 African countries. Subjects include agriculture; animals; artists; body arts; cityscapes; cultural landscapes; dance; education; expeditions; flora; industry; leaders; marketplaces; medicine; military; missionaries; music; portraits; recreation; rites and ceremonies; and transportation, among many other topics.
Arrangement note:
Arranged by country and topic
Provenance:
NMAfA: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, 950 Independence Ave. S.W. 20560-0708;, Transfer;, 1985-ongoing;, 1985-0014
Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Genre/Form:
Postcards
Citation:
African Postcard collection, EEPA 1985-014, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
The collection includes 193 slides taken by Marilyn Heldman in Ethiopia in the 1960s and 1970s. Subjects include architecture, art objects, marketplaces, pottery, reliefs and cultures including the Bamileke, Fulani, Hausa, Oyo and Yoruba peoples.
Scope and Contents:
The collection includes 193 slides taken by Marilyn Heldman in the 1960s and 1970s. Many of the photos were taken during fieldwork in Northern Ethiopia, supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities post-doctorate fellowship (1973-1974), or while working as a Curatorial Associate at the Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia (1966-1967). Subjects include architecture, art objects, marketplaces, pottery, reliefs and cultures including the Bamileke, Fulani, Hausa, Oyo and Yoruba peoples.
Biographical / Historical:
Marilyn Heldman is an Adjunct Professor of Art History at American University (Washington, D.C.). Published in such journals as the Journal of Religion in Africa, African Arts and Northeast African Studies, Heldman has also written numerous books, notably African Zion: The Sacred Art of Ethiopia (1993) (cowritten with Stuart C. Munro-Hay). Heldman received a post-doctorate fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts to complete field work in Northern Ethiopia (1973-1974). She has also held positions as Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Missouri at St. Louis and Curatorial Associate at the Museum of the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia (1966-1967).
Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Printed caption on recto reads: "Gruss aus Kamerun; Kopschmuck der Pangwe-Männer."
Translated caption reads: "Greetings from Cameroon, Head ornamentation of Pangwe Men."
Manuscript message on verso, date reads: "12/9/12."
Postcard image with four views of hairstyles on Pangwe Men, circa 1910.
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-05-09
Provenance:
Freyer: Bryna Freyer Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Av., S.W., Washington, DC 20560; donation; 12/30/1999.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Verso labeled with additional accession number: A1994-06-037.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Verso labeled with additional accession number: A1995-6-24.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Printed text on verso reads: "Afrique Equatoriale Française / 26. Cameroun. - Dos tatoués en relief / Femmes Grasfield."
Translated caption reads: "French Equatorial Africa / 26. Cameroon. - Backs tattooed in relief / Grasfield Women."
Additional printed text on verso reads: "Photographie René Moreau / Edition R Bègue, 9, Rue Cauchois - Paris / Reproduction interdite."
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-05-05
General:
Title source: Postcard caption.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Half of Men's Bible Class Metet, Kamerun, West Africa
Extent:
1 Postcard (collotype., b&w, 9 x 13.7 cm.)
Container:
Volume 1
Type:
Archival materials
Postcards
Postcards
Picture postcards
Place:
Africa
Cameroon
Cameroon -- Adamawa -- Metet
Date:
ca. 1910
Scope and Contents:
Printed text on recto reads: "Half of Men's Bible Class - Metet, / Kamerun, West Africa."
Stamp box reads: "Made in Germany."
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-20-06
General:
Title source: Postcard caption.
Numbering Peculiarities Note:
Verso labeled with crossed out additional accession number: A1995-13-52.
Provenance:
Possible Howard Woody purchase; FY 1995; EEPA 1995-013
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Evangelische Missionsgesellschaft in Basel Search this
Extent:
1 Postcard (collotype., b&w, 9 x 13.7 cm.)
Container:
Volume 1
Type:
Archival materials
Postcards
Postcards
Picture postcards
Place:
Africa
Cameroon
Date:
ca. 1910
Scope and Contents:
Printed text on recto reads: "Dorf-Häuptlinge in Kamerun."
Translated caption reads: "Village Chiefs in Cameroon."
Printed text on verso reads: "Verlag: Basler Missions-Handlung, duala, Kamerun." Additional printed text on verso reads: "Postkarte - Carte Postale / Union postale universelle / Weltpostuerien." Stamp box reads: "143373."
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-20-04
General:
Title source: Postcard caption.
Numbering Peculiarities Note:
Verso labeled with former accession number format: A1993-19-19.
Provenance:
Mrs. Jo Bernick; donation; FY 1993; EEPA 1993-019
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Printed text on verso reads: "Collection 'Lumières D'Afrique,' / N⁰ 28 - 'Pêche a l'épervier par Alain Denis."
Translated caption reads: "'Lights on Africa' Collection / Fishing with cast nets by Alain Denis."
Additional printed text on verso reads: "Cineda International 15 rue Alfred de Musset 75016 Paris / Imprimé en France en Héliogravure - Reproduction interdite."
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-10-02
General:
Title source: Postcard caption.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Printed text on verso reads: "Collection 'Lumieres D'Afrique,' / Foumban - Cameroun / N⁰ 129 - L'Artisanat Bamoun par Alain Denis."
Translated caption reads: "'Lights on Africa,' Collection, Foumban - Cameroon / N⁰ 129 - 'Bamoun Crafts,' by Alain Denis."
Additional printed text on verso reads: "Imprimé en France pour Cineda International / 5, rue Pergolèse, 75016 Paris - Reproduction interdite."
Photographer's logo on recto: "Alain Denis."
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-04-01
General:
Title source: Postcard caption.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Printed text on verso reads: "Collection 'Lumières D'Afrique,' / Limbé - Cameroun / N⁰ 128 - Pêche à la tortue - Mile 6 - La baie par Alain Denis."
Translated caption reads: "'Lights on Africa,' Collection, Limbé - Cameroon / N⁰ 128 - Turtle fishing - Mile 6 - The bay by Alain Denis."
Additional printed text on verso reads: "Imprimé en France pour Cineda International / 5, rue Pergolèse, 75016 Paris - Reproduction interdite."
Photographer's logo on recto: "Alain Denis."
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-10-01
General:
Title source: Postcard caption.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Printed text on verso reads: "Bamenda, provincial capital / North-West Province, Rep. of Cameroon."
Additional printed text on verso reads: "Foto: A. Kempf."
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-06-01
General:
Title source: Postcard caption.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Printed text on verso reads: "Tea Estate Ndu / North-West Province, Rep. of Cameroon / Foto: H. Knöpfli."
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-01-01
General:
Title source: Postcard caption.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Printed text on verso reads: "Traditional carvers - Weaveing of fibers - Engraving of a calabash / Craftsmen of the Handicraft Centre Bali / North-West Province, Rep. of Cameroon."
Additional printed text on verso reads: "Fotos: H. Knöpfli/A. Kempf."
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-04-02
General:
Title source: Postcard caption.
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Printed text on recto reads: "Tikargebiet: King Chunga mit Gefolge in Ngambe."
Translated caption reads: "Tikar territory: Kink Chunga with retinue in Ngambe."
Printed text on verso reads: "Postkarte / 7711."
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-15-01
General:
Title source: Postcard caption.
Numbering Peculiarities Note:
Verso labeled with former accession number format: A1994-06-032
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Missionsstation Soppo: Eine durch Missiour Bender vollzogene Taufe
Extent:
1 Postcard (collotype., b&w, 9 x 14 cm.)
Container:
Volume 1
Type:
Archival materials
Postcards
Postcards
Picture postcards
Place:
Africa
Cameroon
Date:
ca. 1912
Scope and Contents:
Printed text on recto reads: "Missionsstation Soppo: eine durch Missionar Bender vollzogene Taufe."
Translated caption reads: "Mission Soppo: a baptism carried out by missionary Bender."
Printed text on verso reads: "Postcarte / 9569." Manuscript message and address on verso. Postmarked postage stamp on verso, postmark reads: "Feb 26 6 AM 1912 Forestville, Wis."
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-39-07
General:
Title source: Postcard caption.
Numbering Peculiarities Note:
Verso labeled with former accession number format: A1994-06-063
Provenance:
Howard Woody; purchase; FY 1994; EEPA 1994-006
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.. West Africa Mission Search this
Extent:
1 Postcard (collotype., b&w, 8.8 x 13.7 cm.)
Container:
Volume 1
Type:
Archival materials
Postcards
Postcards
Picture postcards
Place:
Africa
Cameroon
Cameroon -- South -- Elat -- Geonames
Date:
ca. 1910
Scope and Contents:
Printed text on recto reads: "Part of Elat Station, West Africa Mission."
Stamp box on verso reads: "Made in Germany."
Local Numbers:
EEPA CM-09-02
General:
Title source: Postcard caption.
Numbering Peculiarities Note:
Verso labeled with former accession number format: A1994-06-082
Collection Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Collection Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
