Description:

WILLIAM C. HANDY
(1873-1958) American musician and composer considered "Father of the Blues", composer of "Memphis Blues" and "St. Louis Blues". Fine content T.L.S. on his personal letterhead, 3pp. 4to., New York, Apr. 13, 1954 to a friend. In part: "...Having passed my 80th milestone, marching forward, I find it necessary to look back to the days of my youth when I worshipped at the A.M.E. Church built and pastored by my Grandfather and later by my Father...I was a secretary and chorister in the Church...from the very beginning I experienced many handicaps and now handicapped by blindness, but these were softened through faith and prayer...We have just received from our printers copies of our latest timely song, 'TAKE A GOOD LOOK IN THE GOOD BOOK' for solo voice and piano...life is something like the trumpet in that 'If you don't put anything in it you won't get anything out of it'...in 1914...'St. Louis Blues' was written and taken overseas during the First World War...". He then describes how ASCAP had been founded forty years earlier, and how at a celebration he and seven other "old time song writers" had enjoyed hearing their old tunes parodied. Much more good content, in fine condition.

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January 31, 2013 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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