Photograph of Velma Middleton and Louis Armstrong

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 silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Velma Middleton and Louis Armstrong. The two are depicted from the shoulders up sitting closely together, with their heads touching. Middleton is depicted playing a trumpet while Armstrong holds his proper left hand to his proper left ear. Middleton is wearing a dark top and looking towards the top of the image. Armstrong is wearing a white tuxedo, black bowtie, and is looking towards the left edge of the image. Armstrong has a comical expression on his face. Near the left corner of the image is an inscription in blue ink that reads, [X Marks / the spot / With Love / to Laura / Velma / Middleton]. Black text printed in the negative at the bottom right reads [BRUSSELS, '49]. There are no inscriptions on the back of the photograph.

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