THE MAN WHO WAS SAID TO BE 138

One face. One gravestone. One extraordinary claim.

This black sweatshirt from Reading Frames — Wearable Archives tells the story of John Smith, also known as Ka-Be-Nah-Gwey-Wence, an Ojibwe (Chippewa) man from the Cass Lake region of Minnesota whose remarkable appearance made him one of the most photographed Native American elders of his time.

FRONT — THE FACE

The front features an archival portrait of John Smith, photographed in the early twentieth century.

Deeply lined skin, white hair, and traditional clothing create a striking image of old age. His portraits circulated widely as photographic postcards, often accompanied by extraordinary claims about his longevity.

He became something of a celebrity, known to visitors and photographers who were fascinated by his appearance.

BACK — THE GRAVESTONE

On the back is a photograph of John Smith's gravestone.

Its inscription reads:

JOHN SMITH
BORN IN 1784
DIED FEB. 6, 1922
138 YEARS OLD

But was he really 138?

The claim was widely repeated during his lifetime and after his death, yet reliable documentary evidence has never established such an extraordinary age.

Some historical accounts suggest that he may have been considerably younger.

The gravestone records what people believed — or wanted to believe — about his life. It does not prove the date of his birth.

BETWEEN PHOTOGRAPH AND LEGEND

John Smith died in Cass Lake, Minnesota, on February 6, 1922.

His image survives in numerous photographs, postcards, and archival collections.

This sweatshirt brings together two different forms of historical evidence: a photograph of the man and an inscription commemorating him.

Both are authentic records. Neither tells the entire story.

The distance between them is where historical interpretation begins.

ABOUT READING FRAMES

Reading Frames is an independent artistic project exploring archival photography, visual history, and the stories preserved — and sometimes obscured — in historical images.

Our Wearable Archives collection transforms carefully selected photographs into contemporary clothing, encouraging viewers to look beyond the surface of an image.

PRODUCT DETAILS

• Black crewneck sweatshirt

• Large archival portrait on the front

• Historic gravestone photograph on the back

• Produced individually on demand

• Printed and shipped by our production partner

Reading Frames — Wearable Archives

Wear a photograph. Question the story.