Photograph of Louis Armstrong and Velma Middleton

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 Louis Armstrong and Velma Middleton standing on stage behind a microphone. They are standing side-by-side, looking towards the left side of the image, with their arms around each other’s backs. Armstrong hold his proper right arm up with his fingers curled and he holds his trumpet in his proper left hand behind Middleton’s back. Middleton holds her proper left hand up in a wave. Armstrong is depicted wearing a medium toned jacket and light pants. He has a comical expression on his face. Middleton is depicted wearing a long, belted dress with short sleeves and floral jewelry. An inscription in black ink in the lower right corner reads, [To Our Boy / With Love & / Kisses & Success / Always To / Willie / Sincerely / Velma & Pops].

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