[EDUCATION]. A small collection of items related to Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in Virginia including a diploma signed by William H. TAFT.

21 x 16 in. partly printed diploma, matted to 17 x 24 3/4 (toning, minor creasing). Signed by William Howard TAFT ("Wm H. Taft") as President of the Board of Trustees and James E. GREGG ("James E. Gregg") as Principal of the school. Hampton, VA, 28 May 1919. Diploma certifies that Bessie Parthenia Tucker completed a four year course at the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, maintaining a satisfactory standard of excellence in character and scholarship.

7 x 5 in. silver gelatin photograph, matted to 11 x 9 in. (taped to mat on verso, some silvering and toning to image). Group portrait of 10 African American young ladies seated on a staircase, one holds a basketball painted "Hampton '21" on her lap, and two hold up a banner reading "Girls Basketball / Class-Championship / Class '21 / H.N.A.I. / '17 / 1919 / '20 / '21"

Approx. 1 13/16 x 3 1/4 in. silk ribbon (fraying to edges, some clipping or loss to lower edge). New York: Factory No. 7, ca 1910s. White letters on a blue field spell out "Hampton" beneath a blue, white, and gold seal with legend reading "Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute / 1865." This ribbon was part of a set of tobacco silks issued by Egyptienne Luxury, showcasing many famous colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.

18 printed postcards featuring the Hampton Institute campus including Memorial Church, Teachers' Club House, King's Chapel, Hospital for Boys, Ogden Hall, an aerial view of the campus, and many more. And one printed postcard featuring Hartshorn Hall at Virginia Union University in Richmond. -- Together, 19 printed postcards. Most postally used.

The Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, began as a Normal school for African Americans in 1868. It has evolved into one of the nation's leading African American Universities. Among the school's famous alumni is Dr. Booker T. Washington, who established a similar program with the Tuskegee Institute after graduating.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.