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Museum object · Photographs and Still Images

Gladys Bentley: America's Greatest Sepia Player -- The Brown Bomber of Sophisticated Songs

1946 - 1949

Smithsonian NMAAHC collection

Source image for Gladys Bentley: America's Greatest Sepia Player -- The Brown Bomber of Sophisticated SongsLoading image…
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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

Black and white photographic postcard of the singer and musician Gladys Bentley dressed in a men's white tuxedo and white top hat, holding a cane at her side tucked under her arm. The phrase: "America's Greatest Sepia Player" is printed down the left side of the postcard and the phrase: "The Brown Bomber of Sophisticated Songs" is printed down the right side of the postcard.

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2011.57.25.1

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