Description:

Huddie Ledbetter
New York, NY, 1936
Huddie Ledbetter Signed 1st Ed. of "Negro Folk Songs as Sung by Lead Belly"
Signed book

A first edition copy of "Negro Folk Songs as Sung by Lead Belly" by John A. and Alan Lomax. New York: Macmillan Company, 1936. Quatro, 7.25" x 9.5". 242 pages. Signed and inscribed in pencil on the full title page: "Huddie Ledbetter/ To my friend Bob". Ex libris of the Brooklyn College Library, featuring bookplate at inside front cover and ownership punctures within on pages 193/194 and again on title page, slightly affecting Ledbetter's signature. Original yellow cloth boards exhibit darkened soiling throughout with red ink staining at lower left; slight fraying to top and bottom of spine. Expected page toning to interior, with areas of isolated creasing. Good overall condition of a desirable publication.

Compiled by renowned folklorist John Lomax and his son Alan, this classic volume on the music and legend of seminal folk singer Lead Belly features 49 songs with musical notations, including "Frankie and Albert", "Midnight Special", "C.C Rider" and "Shreveport Jail", each contextualized by Ledbetter himself. Lead Belly's "powerful voice, extensive repertory, fancy stepping and virtuosity on guitar, mandolin, piano, accordion and harmonica" brought him an early fame that was cut short by his imprisonment for murder in Texas and in Louisiana's Angola Penitentiary. After Lomax assisted him in gaining his parole, Lead Belly accompanied Lomax to New York, where he was recorded extensively for the Library of Congress. In New York, Ledbetter found a welcome audience among jazz supporters, who viewed him as the last of the blues singers.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.25" x 9.5"
  • Medium: Signed book

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