Heavily worn ca. 1980 Wydown jacket, with label from The Model (Quality Clothes / Monmouth, ILLS). which by its evident wear and tear, vividly illustrates the hard life of the celebrated American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and vocalist. From the last ten years of Baker's life, obtained from the collection of his longtime companion Diane Vavra. The history of this relationship is extensively documented in, among others, James Gavin's "Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker" (Chicago Review, 2011). Read More...
Heavily worn 1970s Mr Leggs Navy Blue Zip Up Jacket, size Large, which by its evident wear and tear, vividly illustrates the hard life of the celebrated American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and vocalist. From the last ten years of Baker's life, obtained from the collection of his longtime companion Diane Vavra. The history of this relationship is extensively documented in, among others, James Gavin's "Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker" (Chicago Review, 2011). Read More...
A pair of black leather dress shoes which by their evident wear and tear, vividly illustrate the hard life of the celebrated American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and vocalist. From the last ten years of Baker's life, from the collection of his longtime companion Diane Vavra. The history of this relationship is extensively documented in, among others, James Gavin's "Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker" (Chicago Review, 2011). Read More...
Pinstriped Agnes B. suit, which Baker wore in a performance featured in the 1988 Bruce Weber Academy-Award-nominated documentary film Let's Get Lost. He can be seen wearing it as he sings a heartbreaking rendition of Almost Blue beginning at 1:47. In fair condition consistent with wear and age. From the last ten years of Baker's life, from the collection of his longtime companion Diane Vavra. The history of this relationship is extensively documented in, among others, James Gavin's "Deep in a Dream: The Long Night of Chet Baker" (Chicago Review, 2011). Read More...
21438. Baker, Chet. (1929-1988). "Chet Baker With Åke Johansson Trio – Live In Sweden" - SIGNED LP
Uncommon signed album from the tragic jazz great whose intimate playing style established him as a great talent until his drug related death in 1988. Dragon (8) – DRLP 56. Undedicated, signed on the front cover beside his photograph in the year of the album's publication, " Thanks - Chet Baker / Sweden / - 84 - ." Album covers slightly toned but overall fine. Record untested but in apparently fine condition. Read More...
Uncommon signed album from the tragic jazz great whose intimate playing style established him as a great talent until his drug related death in 1988. "Cool Burnin'" with George Coleman, Kirk Lightsey, Herman Wright and Roy Brooks on Prestige 7496, signed "Chet Baker 1973" and "George Coleman" on the back cover in blue ink. Blue "Trident" stereo labels with "Van Gelder" in dead wax. Vinyl with 1/2" mark producing several light tics, signed cover in fine condition. Read More...
Original program for a June, 1973 performance at Carnegie Hall by the American-born entertainer, who was celebrating her golden jubilee as a performer. The evening included some two dozen songs in both English and French. 28 pp. Wear to cover, overall in fine condition. 8.25 x 11 inches (21 x 27.9 cm.). Read More...
An unusual signed program from a 26 May, 1957 an appearance by the legendary dancer, singer, and actress at the Théâtre du Palais, Dakar during the centenary of the city. The program "Un Hommage à Josephine Baker," featured the "Freres du Theatre d'Afrique / Theatre de L'Ouest Africain / Union Artistique de la Jeunesse Guineenne," with Demba Kanouté performing a poem composed for the occasion, and Mamadou Kouyaté ("coraïste virtuose") and concluded with the official proclamation awarding to Josephine Baker the title of "Présidente d'Honneur de L'Union." Baker has signed "votre grande soeur [your big sister] Josephine Baker" in blue ink to the first page. 8 pp. Gray printed wrappers. In very fine condition.
Signed photograph of the American-born French entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist who became a symbol of the decadent Jazz Age and played a leading role in the advancement of African Americans in the arts. A wonderful image of the entertainer who is shown wearing an elaborate feathered headdress on stage during a performance at the Circle Star Theatre in San Carlos, California, signed and inscribed in blue felt tip to one of the theatre's stagehands. Pin holes through each corner, a few light emulsion spots, else in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Original 1951 Armand of Havana photograph of the legendary entertainer shown in a sumptuous Christian Dior gown, boldly signed and inscribed in black ink "To Ernest / with Friendship / from Josephine Baker / 1951." A couple of minor surface creases, staining on verso, overall in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.7 x 25.5 cm). Read More...
Original 1951 Armand of Havana photograph of the legendary entertainer shown in a sumptuous Christian Dior gown and gloves, boldly signed and inscribed in black ink "To Paul / Amicalement / et son devotee / Josephine Baker / 1963." In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.7 x 25.5 cm). Read More...
Large format signed photograph of the American-born French entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist who became a symbol of the decadent Jazz Age and played a leading role in the advancement of African Americans in the arts. A luminous image of the entertainer with her hands and arms artfully placed across her bare body, vintage glossy 6.5 x 8.5 photo by Studio Piaz of Paris, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, "A Monsieur Emile Dretinier, en souvenir de Josephine Baker, Paris, 1933.” In very good to fine condition, with trimmed edges, tack holes to the corners, light silvering, and mottled foxing. Baker's response to her own nudity: 'I wasn't really naked. I simply didn't have any clothes on.'
Signed vintage sepia Walery postcard photograph of the legendary African American entertainer. A full length portrait, boldly signed and inscribed in blue ink in 1937. 9 x 14 cm. Baker's death year of 1975 written in ink in the lower border (obviously in another hand), otherwise fine. Read More...
Vintage 8 x 10 inch doubleweight original photograph of the great singer/dancer "in a happy good mood when she arrives at London airport" in 1959. Fine.
Baker was most noted as a singer, while in her early career she was a celebrated dancer. She was given the nicknames the "Black Venus" or the "Black Pearl", as well as the "Créole Goddess" in anglophone nations, while in France she has always been known in the old theatrical tradition as "La Baker."
Paris: M. Seheur. 1931. Voyages et aventures de Joséphine Baker, illustré de photographies, de hors-texte en couleurs et de nombreux dessins. 149 p., [8] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.). 12 mo (18 cm). One of 1500 copies. Illustrated wrappers, spine reinforced with tape at head and base, wear around edges as usual on this very fragile volume, but a more solid than usual example and internally very fine throughout. Read More...
Autograph letter from the Russian painter and scene and costume designer, known for his extensive work for the Ballets Russes. 1 p. June 21, 1915. To architect and art critic Frantz Jourdain (1847–1935), Bakst writes (translated from the French): "Dear maître, I am very touched by your kind letter and thank you sincerely. I will act according to your advice. Until then, please believe my devoted and cordial sentiments. Leon Bakst." In very fine condition. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.3 x 17.3 cm).
Paris: Imprimerie Modern Style. P. Marmy. Oversize elaborate printed invitation to the 1911 Bal des Quat'z'Arts. The design by the French painter, illustrator and decorator H. Rapin, featuring a highly stylized illustration on Babylonian themes. 19 x 33 cm. Dampstained along the lower edge, left edge and upper margin chipped with a few small losses, else fine. Read More...
ALS on a postcard from the influential Russian pianist and composer written to his student, the conductor Mikhail Karpov. The letter reads, in full, translated from the Russian, "I ask you to visit me on Wednesday, November 22nd at 3 a.m. and to notify me immediately on the return form that you have received this invitation. / M.B. / November 18, 1906." Toned, light edgewear, else in fine condition. 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14 x 9 cm). Read More...
Signed title of Balanchine's Complete Stories of the Great Ballets (Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1956). Cut from the book. 8.25 x 5.25 inches (20.8 x 13.3 cm). In fine condition. Read More...
Striking signed portrait photograph of the choreographer known as the father of American ballet. A Martha Swope photograph, with her signature in the negative lower left and NYCB stamps to verso, boldly signed in black ink by the great choreographer who is shown here seated with his cat. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm). Very fine.