Evocative original doubleweight sepia photograph of an unidentified Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble ca. 1950, acquired in Havana, Cuba and evidently taken there. Creasing throughout, edge wear, pin hole to upper margin, the patina of age on this particular piece oddly enhancing its particular vibe. 7.25 x 5 inches (18.4 x 12.7 cm.). Read More...
3 page stapled typed plan to "Lose Weight The 'Satchmo' Way by Lucille Armstrong & Louis Armstrong, signed and inscribed in green fountain pen on the first page: "Satchmo /Louis Armstrong." Further inscription to foot of final leaf: "P.S. Satchmo Slogan / the more you shit / the thinner you'll git / no shit." 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm). Somewhat wrinkled; stains to foot of third page. Read More...
Postcard from the Netherlands, with the Dutch caption, "Louis Armstrong en zijn band in M.G.M's High Society" (Louis Armstrong and his band in MGM's High Society), depicting a still from the 1956 film with the musicians in performance. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm). Somewhat foxed, else in very good condition.
Glossy half-length portrait of the legendary musician playing the trumpet on a stage. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.6 cm). Small holes from needles to upper corners (through the margin). Else in fine condition.
Boston: Jean White. 1881. Method for the cornet and saxhorn, from the collection of Jack Bradley, personal photographer and close friend of Louis Armstrong. While we can't know if this method was used by Satchmo himself, the association is compelling. Volume shows signs of wear, with a few pencil markings on the first few pages of exercises. Shaken but tight binding; loose hinges; page discoloration and foxing; edge wear; bowing. 10 x 13 inches (25 x 32.5 cm). This edition is uncommon, with Worldcat listing no examples.
Original black and white poster, ca. 1960, with hand gouache coloring by the unidentified artist, signed in blue ink by Louis Armstrong, probably one of the largest signatures he ever signed and almost certainly the largest signed portrait of the great Satchmo in existence! Apparently obtained at the Morris Civic Theatre in South Bend, IN in 1963. In a large recent wood frame under UV-plexiglass. Some creases to the poster, but really in great shape overall. About 36 x 30 inches without the frame! Read More...
Ca. 2955 souvenir program of "Louis Armstrong And His Concert Group / Satchmo The Great" boldly signed in blue ink "Louis Armstrong" and in red "Barney Bigard" to the front cover and to their respective inside program portraits by Danny Barcelona, Mort Herbert, Billy Kyle and Trummy Young. Slightest toning around the edges, overall very fine. 9 x 12 inches.
Original candid performance photograph signed by the four greats, Louis Armstrong (trumpet), Jack Teagarden (trombone), Barney Bigard (clarinet), and Big Sid Catlett (drums). The musicians are shown playing, and each has signed on the surrounding mount, being the inside of a Billy Berg's of Hollywood folder. Some stains, two pinholes and modest wear to mount, else fine. The verso recording the date of the photograph as August 27, 1947. 8.5 x 6.5 inches (21 x 17 cm). Read More...
Vintage semi-glossy 9.75 x 7.625 inch (19.4 x 24.7 cm.) photo of a 1931 reunion of the Municipal Boys Home Band, the photographer's raised "A.P. Bedou" blindstamp lower right. The notations on the image are within the negative; this is an original copy print by the photographer. Small creases and nicks/pinholes to edges, else fine condition. A moving image of Armstrong receiving a hero’s welcome during the Municipal Boys Home’s Christmas Day reunion. Read More...
Original doubleweight photograph of the great American jazz trumpeter, singer and composer, from the collection of Sammy Davis Jr. Photographed by Davis' longtime manager, Jess Rand, Armstrong is captured in his white suit, singing directly into the microphone. Dated 1954, at the Crescendo Club in Hollywood. Slight wear to the edges but overall a crisp image in fine condition, with the photographer's stamp and Davis collection stamp on verso. 24 x 19 cm.
New York: Allen, Towne & Heath, Inc.. 1947. First edition. Story of Louis Armstrong, inscribed by Armstrong on the front free endpage "To my life long Buddy Bill Davidson from Louis Armstrong." First edition in English, published in French, in Paris, in the same year. Hardcover, original blue cloth, title in gilt to spine, treble clef embossed to the upper board. Portrait frontispiece, 304 pp. Signed page heavily toned, half title with two small punched holes, spine rubbed with ends a bit frayed, somewhat shaken but solid. Read More...
Glossy photograph still from the 1934 Hollywood film The Gay Divorcee,signed and inscribed in blue and black felt tip ink by co-stars Fred Astaire and Erik Rhodes to "Dana." Very fine. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Lively signed postcard photograph of the Trinidad-born English pianist who was wildly popular with her boogie woogie and ragtime hits. 10 x 15 cm. A few dings, overall fine.
An unusual original 1963 photograph taken before the great French singer's Carnegie Hall recital. He is shown flanked by the jazz trumpeter and an unidentified man. 13 x 18 cm. Press clipping on verso, in fine condition.
Original silver gelatin photograph by the Czech photographer, who has captured the French-Armenian singer, lyricist and actor on stage beneath a spotlight during rehearsal. Together with a large sheet inscribed by Aznavour with two lines of autograph lyrics, "She never says always / She always says never / 20-1-65 / Aznavour". In fine condition. 11.8 x 12.2 inches (30 x 31 cm.); 14.5 x 21 inches (37 x 54 cm). Read More...
New York: Avon Books. 1996. First edition, first printing. . Hardcover with dustjacket, 6.5 x 9.5, 336 pages. Boldly signed on the half-title page in blue felt tip, “B. B. King.” In fine condition, with some trivial wear to the dustjacket.
Silver and Mother-of-pearl Belt Buckle,in the shape of a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, inscribed on reverse "B.B.", thought to have been given by King to fellow guitarist J. Geils, with whom he toured in the 1970s. Provenance: The Estate of J. Geils. Approx 5 x 1.8 inches, with an associated leather belt. Read More...
Colorful striped Gap turtleneck shirt 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). Size Medium. In fine condition. Read More...
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...