[Jazz & Song] Sinatra, Frank. (1915–1998) Signed Photograph

[Jazz & Song] Sinatra, Frank. (1915–1998)

Signed Photograph

A most unusual signed photograph of a youthful Sinatra, shown here in rehearsal with Bing Crosby and three unidentified musicians. Mounting remnants on verso, a few small abbrasions, surface tears and light creases to the image with most of the damage fully matted out of sight. The visible area of the photograph measures 9.5 x 7 inches [24 c 18 cm], matted to 14 x 11 inches [35.5 x 28 cm] overall.

Sinatra grew up with a picture of Crosby in his room, and in 1935 met his idol briefly backstage at a Newark club. They would not meet again for almost a decade, when Sinatra would be contending for Crosby's throne. But Sinatra decided early not merely to imitate Crosby and instead developed his own style. In a 1965 interview, Sinatra explained: "When I started singing in the mid-1930s everybody was trying to copy the Crosby style -- the casual kind of raspy sound in the throat. Bing was on top, and a bunch of us ... were trying to break in. It occurred to me that maybe the world didn't need another Crosby. I decided to experiment a little and come up with something different." (10542)

Signed Photograph Jazz