Signed Photograph with Original Press Photographs

Signed photograph of the influential orchestral leader and self-dubbed "King of Jazz," together with two original 1929 press photographs. Whiteman is shown in a vignette portrait photograph and has signed and inscribed at the lower left, with the date of October 24, 1925 added in another hand. The two original press photographs show him in Springfield, Illinois, being presented by the mayor with a baton made out wood from Abraham Lincoln's home. A press clipping is included, dating the photograph to May 30, 1929: "Above you see in the picture John L. Taylor, local musician, Paul Whiteman, Jazz King, H. L. Fay, custodian of Lincoln's tomb and Mayor J. Emil Smith, presenting Whiteman with a baton made out of wood taken from Lincoln home." In very fine condition. Photographs each 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25 cm).

As the leader of one of the most popular dance bands in the United States during the 1920's and 1930's, Whiteman produced recordings that were immensely successful, and press notices often referred to him as the "King of Jazz". Using a large ensemble and exploring many styles of music, Whiteman is perhaps best known for his blending of symphonic music and jazz, as typified by his 1924 commissioning and debut of George Gershwin's jazz-influenced "Rhapsody in Blue". Although he played an integral part in bringing jazz to the masses, and introduced many of jazz's future stars (including Bix Beiderbecke, Tommy Dorsey, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang), by the end of the 1930s his star had begun to fade. (15491)

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Signed Photograph

Unsigned Photograph

Jazz

• Sold