Description:

Huddie Ledbetter
New York, NY, February 1, 1949
Rare ALS by Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter's Wife, "Martha & Huddie Ledbetter"
ALS

Lead Belly's wife Martha pens letter to Mrs. Fairbanks, one of Huddie's managers. February 1, 1949, New York, NY. The letter is accomplished in green ink, 3 pages on one attached 7" x 7.75" sheet. Toning and very light foxing commensurate with age else very good to near fine condition.

In full (with idiosyncratic spellings preserved):

"Dear Mrs. Fairbanks,
How are you at this time as this leaves us as well as expected Well we got the letter from the lawyer and he said he didn't see anything to hinder Huddie from trying to find his own employment so now I am quoting his words just as he had it on his letter so here it is...
Dear Mr Ledbetter
We have examined your agreement with Austin Wilder and copies of various communications between Mrs. Fairbanks, Wilder, and you and we see no reason why you should not do anything you can to find employment for yourself.
So I will keep you posted whatever we do. and you will be hering from me as often as possible but I am going to not try and worrie you Huddie is doing very well with his leg so far I hope to here from you soon.
from
Martha & Huddie Ledbetter"

Letters related to Huddie Ledbetter are quite rare, and this, written by his wife, documents the end of the Folk & Blues legend's career as he would pass later that year on December 6, 1949.

Huddie William Ledbetter (1889-1949) stands out as one of the most important grassroots musicians of the twentieth century. He was born on Jeter Plantation in Mooringsport, near the Louisiana-Texas border, around January 20, 1885, to farmers Sally and Wes Ledbetter. As a child, Ledbetter learned to play accordion and basic guitar techniques from his uncle Terrell Ledbetter, and he soon began to perform for parties, known locally as "sukey-jumps."

"Lead Belly's legacy is extraordinary. His recordings reveal his mastery of a great variety of song styles and his prodigious memory; his repertoire included more than 500 songs. His rhythmic guitar playing and unique vocal accentuations make his body of work both instructive and compelling. His influence on later musicians, including Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain, was immense." - Britannica

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" x 7.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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