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...
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.
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.
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...
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 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...
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...
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 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.).
Newark: Rising Tide. [1990]. First. 8vo., 16 pp. black wrappers lettered in pink, orange and blue, stapled, as issued; minor soiling. First edition, first printing (not to be confused with the more commonly seen xeroxed edition with silver wrappers). A remarkable presentation copy, inscribed: "For Marlene / Be Everything We Need / Amiri Baraka, '91," on the front pastedown.
Original William Gottlieb black and white photograph of the great jazz pianist, circa 1946-48; printed circa 1979. Gottlieb, who has signed his name and added a copyright symbol to the lower left, captures an energetic and smiling Basie at the piano. In fine condition. Sight: 10.75 x 13.25 inches (27.3 x 33.6 cm.); framed to 17.75 x 21.75 inches (45.1 x 55.2 cm.). Literature: The Golden Age of Jazz, Pomegranate Artbooks, 1995, p. 100. Read More...
New York: HarperCollins. 1991. First edition, first printing. Hardcover with dustjacket, signed and inscribed on the title. 6.5 x 9.5. 398 pages. In fine condition.