A truly amazing set of Mothers of Invention autographs from the classic FREAK OUT era band–a set of five receipts from FRENCHY’S HOUSE OF BARBECUE in Hayward California; one each signed by Frank Zappa, Jimmy Carl Black, Roy Estrada, Ray Collins and Eliott Ingber.  Elliott didn’t sign his last name, but also included is a receipt where he has signed his full name.

The Mothers played FRENCHY’S from May 6-26, 1966; at this point, FREAK OUT had been recorded, but had not yet been released. During these shows they were still billed as The Mothers, with “of Invention” yet to be added.  And on May 21 of this engagement, the band backed Neil Diamond who played a one-night stand at Frenchy’s!

During a lengthy set of shows like this, the band would sign the receipts for food they ordered, and settle up at the end of the engagement.  These receipts detail the Mother’s (who would later record “Cruising For Burgers”) eating habits.  These document Zappa, Black and Engber’s burger habit, while Estrada and Colliins went for the more expensive ham sandwiches.

Also included is a copy of a letter Zappa received after the shows from the local chapter of the American Federation of Musicians, noting that the band had failed to pay work dues to the local. With Recordmecca’s written lifetime guarantee of authenticity.