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Museum object · Tools and Equipment

Cast iron dictionary stand used by Rev. Florence Spearing Randolph

ca. 1915

New Jersey, United States, North and Central America

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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.

Cast iron dictionary stand with four legs. At the end of each leg is a small wheel. The legs are ornamented with stylized vines. A pole attaches to the base of the legs through a rectangular shelf. The pole is topped with a book stand. The stand top consists of two independent wood shelves that form a single cradle. Each side of the cradle can be adjusted with wing nuts on the stand extensions. In the middle of the cradles is a metal rest for accommodating the book spine. The cradle is adjustable with various articulating mechanisms. A patent number on the underside of the metal cradle for the book spine reads “PAT. DEC. 10 95.” There is a rectangular shelf below the cradle. The shelf has four upright prongs. The base of the shelf is stylized with scallops, geometric lines, and shapes.

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: 2013.45.1

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