The Art and Artifacts Division is pleased to announce the recent accessioning of artifacts from the Arthur Ashe Archive donated to the Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture by his wife Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe. The collection has several components; the Arthur Ashe papers in the Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, Photographs in the Photographs and Prints Division, audio/visual materials in the Moving Image and Recorded Division, and finally one hundred eleven artifacts in the Art and Artifacts Division.

The artifacts component consists of a Presidential Medal of Freedom, Head Competition Racquet, lapel pins, buttons, jewelry, medals, badges, trophy, awards, flags, and other miscellaneous items that illustrate the life and career of Arthur Ashe from the 1960s through the early 1990s. Also included in this collection are artifacts such as a set of blessed candles that are remembrances of his battle and death from AIDS, which he acquired from a blood transfusion and announced to the world in 1992.

This collection is a strong representation of Arthur Ashe’s incredible tennis career and the legacy that he leaves behind. We are excited to share this collection with researchers and users who are interested in viewing it. The collection can be accessed by scheduling an appointment with the Art and Artifacts Division Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:30 am and 4 pm.

Researchers can view the full Arthur Ashe Archive accessible through the Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division of the Schomburg Center.