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  • Slate notebook used by Bishop Benjamin Tanner
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Slate notebook used by Bishop Benjamin Tanner

Object Details

Description
Bound writing slates that belonged to Bishop Benjamin Tucker Tanner of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The object is constructed of three (3 double-sided, framed slates joined together with gummed paper on the spine that allows it to open like a book. The front and back covers are covered in dark brown leather with maroon undertones. Gold embossed lettering centered on the front cover reads [Notes]. A swirling, leafy design surrounds the "N." The inside front cover is covered in peach, blue, and white marbled paper with a piece of discolored white paper adhered on top. Handwritten text in black ink on the paper reads [To Bishop B.T. Tanner D.D. / by his friend Abraham Grant / May 19th 1898]. Each slate is framed in brown wood. The edges of the slates appear to be covered in blue and white paper. There is black printed text on the frame of the first slate. The top is marked [A.W. FABER No. 2], and the bottom is marked [MADE IN GERMANY.] The inside of the back cover is covered in red, blue and white marbled paper. There is a fabric tube attached to the inside back cover, possibly for holding chalk. The back cover is blank.
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; Gift of the Bishop Frederick and Mrs. Artishia Jordan Scholarship Fund
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Date
1898
Object number
2013.56.2
Created by
Unidentified
Owned by
Benjamin Tucker Tanner, American, 1835 - 1923
Subject of
African Methodist Episcopal Church, American, founded 1816
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
Type
notebooks
Medium
wood, slate, and paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W (Closed): 6 9/16 x 4 3/8 x 7/8 in. (16.7 x 11.1 x 2.2 cm)
H x W (Open): 6 9/16 x 8 5/8 x 3/4 in. (16.7 x 21.9 x 1.9 cm)
See more items in
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification
Accessories and Personal Effects
Exhibition
Making a Way Out of No Way
On View
NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 050
Topic
African American
African Methodist Episcopal
Methodist
Religion
The Black Church
Record ID
nmaahc_2013.56.2
Usage
CC0
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e3719764-e370-46c5-afe0-19af500afc08
This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Open Access page.
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IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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Visit »

Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Admission is always free!

2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
Washington, DC 20002

Our entrance is on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE.

street map of Postal museum

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