Description:

Waller "Fats"

Unnumbered receipt dated May 11, 1937 inscribed overall and signed by American jazz pianist Thomas Wright “Fats” Waller (1904-1943) as "Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller" in thick pencil. The receipt confirmed that Waller was paid $100 by an individual named “E. Melshaw”. Check has a green center with cream and Greek key decorated border, bearing an accountant’s stamp at right. Graded by PSA/DNA as “Mint 9”. Several rust spots, likely from pins, appear in upper left corner, and there is a red check mark in the margin at lower right. Receipt measures 6.5” x 2.75” and is contained within 9.5” x 4.5” slab.

 

Entertainer, composer, pianist, and organist “Fats” Waller greatly influenced 1920s and 1930s American ragtime and jazz through his piano performances and compositions. The so-called “Black Horowitz” co-wrote “Ain’t Misbehavin’” in 1929 and “Honeysuckle Rose” in 1934, both of which were posthumously inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame some fifty years later. A few years after he signed this receipt, Waller toured the United Kingdom making recordings. He died of pneumonia at age 39 in 1943.

 

“Honeysuckle Rose” (in part):

 

“I don't buy sugar you just have to touch my cup

You're my sugar it's so sweet when you stir it up

On the avenue people look at you

And I know just why they do

You're much sweeter goodness knows

You're my honeysuckle rose

You're much sweeter goodness knows

My honeysuckle rose … ”

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000