Skip to content

Museum object · Clothing - Costume

Black bow tie from the travel wardrobe trunk used by Cab Calloway

mid 20th-late 20th century

United States, North and Central America

COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
Visit the source record ↗

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 black, one size fits all bow tie from the travel wardrobe trunk used by Cab Calloway. The satin, pre-tied, butterfly bow tie features an adjustable neck strap that fastens at the back of the neck. The bow tie has been stitched to the band at the center. The bow tie has a small piece of matching black fabric that wraps around the bow at the center and is stitched closed at the back, forming the center knot. Sewn to the interior of the proper right side of the neck strap is a white satin ribbon with printed black text that reads [ADJUSTABLE ? 14 14 ½ ? / RN 18628]. Sewn to each end of the neck band is a metal hook and eye and there is a metal safety pin attached to the band near the center.

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: A2015.273.1.1.27

Continue exploring Series 1

Arts, Music & Culture →Everyday Life & Community →

Explore all Series 1 cards →