Three original snapshots of Buddy Holly and The Crickets, from Buddy Holly’s personal collection.  These were sold at auction by Holly’s widow, Maria Elena Holly; and her signed letter of authenticity is included.  The letter describes these as “Buddy Holly and The Crickets Birthday Snapshots.  A set of three b&w 3.5″ x 3.5″ snapshots of Holly and his bandmates taken on August 31, 1957 as the group celebrated drummer Jerry Allison’s 18th birthday.  From a series of photos Holly intended for a scrapbook that he never was to complete.”

The band celebrates in a hotel room ,with a cake resting on the bed that reads “Happy Birthday Jerry.”  Around the cake are lollipops and”Ivan” has been spelled out in Hershey’s Kisses.  Allison’s middle name is Ivan and in 1958 he released a version of the song “Real Wild Child” under that name.

The photographs are vintage prints from 1957, with the date and band members names written on the back of each (thought to be in Holly or his brother Larry’s hand.)  An intimate look into the backstage life of one of the all time greats.