An amazing set of Mothers of Invention autographs from the classic Freak Out era band–a set of four receipts from Frenchy’s House of Barbecue in Hayward California.  Included are receipts signed by Frank Zappa, Jimmy Carl Black, Ray Collins and Eliott Ingber (on a smaller receipt.)

The Mothers played French’s from May 6-26, 1966; at that 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 eating habits; Zappa ordered chicken and a “special” with coke and coffee, with Black and Collins both preferring “smothered steak”.  It’s lost to the ages what Ingber had, but it cost 50 cents.

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. An extremely early set of Mothers autographs, with Recordmecca’s written lifetime guarantee of authenticity.