Washboard owned by Bo Diddley

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.

A wood and brass "The Brass King No. 801" washboard manufactured by the National Washboard Company and owned by Bo Diddley. The large, family-size washboard consists of a wood rectangular frame with a central body of textured brass ridges. Along the top of both sides is faded red and black paint. One side reads: [THE / BRASS / KING / TOP NOTCH / SOAP SAVING / FRONT DRAIN]. Paint on reverse side of washboard reads [National Washboard Co. / No / NATIONAL / 801 / TRADE MARK REG. U.S. PAT OFF MADE IN U.S.A. / MEMPHIS / CHICAGO].

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