A rare handwritten letter from Billie Holiday (1915-1959,) presumably to her third and last husband, Louie McKay, described by Wikipedia as a ‘mob enforcer.’ Holiday signs as ‘Lady Day,’ using the nickname bestowed on her by friend and collaborator Lester Young. On the back of a note from Jazz Priest Norman O’Connor, Holiday tells McKay […]
A table card from the legendary New York 52nd Street jazz venue Club Downbeat, boldly signed in fountain pen ‘Best Always, Billie Holiday’. At the top the original recipient has written “Club Downbeat 8/8/46”. This has been authenticated by music autograph expert Roger Epperson, and comes with his Certificate of Authenticity, as well as Recordmecca’s […]
A contract signed by the legendary Billie Holiday and her pianist and musical director, Buster Harding. The contract hires Harding to play a three week engagement with Holiday at the Tiffany Club in Los Angeles, beginning March 19, 1952. Harding, who also played with Teddy Wilson, Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie and many others […]
A very rare program from the Billie Holiday/Louis Armstrong “Birth of the Blues” concert, at Symphony Hall in Boston, April 18, 1947. This 16 page program features a photo essay and discography of Armstrong, an illustrated biography of Holiday, photographs of both, program notes and the songs to be performed, and period advertisements. 16 pages, […]
A first pressing of Billie Holiday’s classic 78 RPM disc “Strange Fruit/Fine and Mellow” on the Commodore label, in a sleeve signed and inscribed to photographer and collector Nat Singerman. Holiday writes “For my friend always Nat Singerman, Billie Holiday” in fountain pen. The inscription and signature are very large, with Holiday’s name 6 1/2″ […]
A very rare concert “Indemnity Agreement” signed amendment by the legendary Billie Holiday, circa 1952. This would have been attached to a concert contract; Holiday here agrees to be responsible for “Withholding Tax, Social Security Tax and California Unemployment Insurance Taxes” for any musicians performing with her. The agreement has been authenticated by music autograph […]
Here’s a beautiful handbill/postcard advertising Billie Holiday’s 1943/44 Residency at the Club Onyx on 52nd Street in New York City, signed boldly by Lady Day herself. The front of the card features a beautiful hand tinted photograph of Holiday and advertises her as “America’s Formost Song Stylist, appearing at the Onyx Club nightly.” The back […]
A beautiful signed publicity photograph of Billie Holiday, measuring 8″ x 10″. Signed Billie Holiday photos are rare indeed; this one is signed in blue ballpoint, with the signature measuring 3 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ (there is ink skipping on the “a” and a bit of the “y.” The photo is in excellent condition, and […]
Two original reel-to-reel tapes of jazz great Billie Holiday, live in concert at Carnegie Hall in 1956. While much of Holiday’s legendary November 1956 show has been released, the tapes we offer here include additional content that has never been available. These tapes come from the estate of celebrated music critic Ralph J. Gleason, one […]