1 Microfilm reel (71 items on partial microfilm reel)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Microfilm reels
Date:
circa 1950-1964
Scope and Contents:
This microfilm collection contains writings by African American self-taught artist James Hapton in an unknown script. These writings are sometimes accompanied by notes in English, quotations from the Bible, or the word "Revelation." The writings are on loose leaf paper, in a 108-page notebook entitled "St. James: The Book of the 7 Dispensation," and in seven notebooks with only a few inscribed pages each. Also included in the collection is a Bible once owned by Hampton containing an inscription in the back. Only the Bible's cover and the inscription were microfilmed.
Biographical / Historical:
James Hampton (1909-1964) was an African American self-taught artist in Washington, D.C. Hampton worked as a janitor and created a large assemblage of religous art in a garage which was only opened after his death. His work, The Throne of the Thrid Heaven of the Nation's Millenium General Assembly, is an assemblage of furniture, light bulbs, cardboard, foil, and other assorted items.
Provenance:
The writings were found in a garage on 7th Street, N.W. Washington D.C., with Hampton's work, The Throne of the Thrid Heaven of the Nation's Millenium General Assembly. The work, along with the papers, were purchased by the National Museum of American Art, now the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Archives of American Art borrowed the writings for microfilming in 1987.
Restrictions:
The Archives of American art does not own the original papers. Use is limited to the microfilm copy.
James Hampton writings, ca. 1950. Owned by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Smithsonian Institution, filmed by Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Instituion.
The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations Millenium General Assembly : James Hampton : [exhibition] March 8 through June 19, 1977, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery, Alabama
