"The Josh White Song Book" – Signed and Inscribed

Chicago: Quadrangle Books. 1963. 3rd printing . The Josh White Song Book: The Songs and Struggles of America's Greatest Folk Singer, by Robert Shelton, with Illustrations by Stu Gross, signed and inscribed by White to inner front cover. In full: "To my man Bill and his love Punkin. But we call her Lucious and you are / I wish you nothing but the best of good luck and loads of love always. Your guy / Josh." Paperback. 9 x 12 inches. 171pp.  Also includes a brief autograph comment from White at part 9 of the biography, about his testimony before the House Unamerican Activities Committee, HUAC; White was charged with singing for Communists after a tour of Europe. The discussion, mainly his defense, takes up 12 of Robert Shelton's 44 pages of history, and is annotated on page 30 "check this every bit ok? -JW".   Followed by 57 of Josh's songs with all the lyrics and music, including the definitive "Delia's Gone" and a superb version of "In the Pines"/Little Girl", here as "Black Girl." Heavy wear to spine and cover extremeties, else fine.

We have been unable to positively confirm the identity of the recipients of this volume. However, the very personal nature of the inscription raises the possibility that the volume may be inscribed to White's younger brother Bill, with whom he shared a close personal relationship and with whom he performed and recorded.  (19271)

---

Autograph Document

Song

History & Historiography

$400.00

• Add to Cart