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Tennis Outfit, Worn by Althea Gibson

National Museum of American History

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Object Details

Gibson, Althea
Description (Brief)
Althea Gibson (1927-2003) wore this tennis outfit while winning the woman's singles title at Wimbeldon in 1957. In the match she defeated fellow American Darlene Heard.
Gibson was the first African-American to play in, and win, Wimbledon. She hoisted the prestigous event's silver trophy twice, in 1957 and 1958. She was also the first black woman to play in the U.S. Tennis Championships (1950) win the U.S. Open, and complete a Grand-Slam. Gibson also broke the color barrier in professional golf when she joined the LPGA in 1964.
Credit Line
Gift of Althea Gibson
1957
ID Number
1988.0260.07
accession number
1988.0260
catalog number
1988.0260.07
Object Name
outfit, tennis
Physical Description
cotton (overall material)
linen (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 32 in x 18 in; 81.28 cm x 45.72 cm
overall, mounted: 32 in x 15 in x 11 1/2 in; 81.28 cm x 38.1 cm x 29.21 cm
See more items in
Cultural and Community Life: Sport and Leisure
Highlights from the Culture and the Arts Collection
National Museum of American History
subject
Tennis
Sports
Professional
Women
African American
Record ID
nmah_748878
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ac-2d42-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Related Content

  • 1957: A Year In The Collections

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