Auction Date:2010 Jan 13 @ 10:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
One of the premier American folksingers (1888-1949), he spent years in and out of jail for murder and attempted murder, recorded “Good Night Irene,” “Boll Weevil,” “The Midnight Special,” “Rock Island Line,” and others. Extremely rare unsigned autograph letter, one page, 8.25 x 10.5, Sweet Singer of the Swamplands stationery (featuring two images of Lead Belly), 1941. Ledbetter writes his cousin, in full: “Dear Edmon Ledbetter. How are you this time? I hope you are well and Alice and the kids. Hows are them two boys? Tell them I say hello. You be sure to take care of them boys. They are onefull. I have been sick in the hospital but am up and doing fine. I didn’t send that suit because it would have been too large for you. Here is some pictures from a party the peoples gave for me las’ Sunday. Write me. Until I hear from you. So long.” Matted and framed to an overall size of 13.25 x 15.5. In good condition, professionally silked on the reverse, with light toning and staining, scattered tears and paper loss, wrinkling and toning affecting the writing, two heavy horizontal folds, and a tear to one of the images.
By the time this letter was written to his cousin, Lead Belly’s music had been overshadowed by his reputation, and he was viewed as more of a novelty act than a country blues musician. However, the 1941 release, Play Parties in Song and Dance as Sung by Lead Belly, revitalized his career. In an attempt to better market the artist, this album was recorded as Lead Belly performed for a group of schoolchildren. Though a newspaper gossip columnist tried to discredit the album and its producer, criticizing him for allowing a man imprisoned for murder to be around children, the album became wildly successful. The party referred to here is likely a rent party, a social phenomenon in black communities that began during the Great Depression with the purpose, as implied by the name, was to raise funds to help pay an individual’s rent and featured some form of entertainment. Lead Belly was among the musicians who regularly attended. The letterhead, content, and extreme rarity of this letter gives this item its outstanding nature. In fact, this very letter was featured in Lead Belly Letter 1994, and it bears mention that no Lead Belly signatures have appeared on the market in the last two decades!
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
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