Description:

Handy William

1p TLS inscribed and signed by pioneering blues musician William C. Handy (1873-1958) as "William C. Handy, January 1st 1942" on "William C. Handy, 1587 Broadway, New York, Circle 6-8843" letterhead with American Society of Composers Authors Publishers logo in the upper right corner. In near fine condition, with minor paperclip impressions in upper left corner. Page measures 7.25" x 10.5". From the Collection of Norman Boas of Seaport Autographs and recently purchased at Christie's December 5, 2017 sale.

 

William C. Handy signed this typed copy of the second verse of his landmark composition "The Memphis Blues" or "Mister Crump" on January 1, 1942. Handy had originally written the song in 1909 to promote the political campaign of a Memphis mayoral candidate; it was published in 1914. Although it was initially branded as Southern rag, "The Memphis Blues" soon became representative of Handy's 12-bar blues style.

 

"The Memphis Blues" runs 28 lines, and its lyrics follow a tightly composed AABBCCDD rhyming scheme. The song creates a mood and paints a picture, and in the process shamelessly promotes its creator and musicians: "Because I seem to hear it yet, Simply can't forget that blue refrain, There's nothin' like the Handy Band, That play'd the Memphis Blues so grand, Oh them Blues".

 

Provenance: Ex-Christie's December 5, 2017 sale; Ex-Norman Boas, Seaport Autographs.


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