(ENTERTAINMENT.) Photographs, manuscript lyrics and other papers of Harlem entertainers Thomas "Chink" Lee and Estrellita Morse. 74 items in one box; size and condition varies. Various places, bulk 1930s-1940s
Thomas J. "Chink" Lee (1906-1992) was a tap dancer best known as an original member and later as manager of the Cotton Club Boys, who performed at the Cotton Club and Apollo through 1940, and then toured through 1942. He then served for three years as an entertainer in the Army, dancing in a touring production of "This Is the Army." He was later a member of the Copasetics, the tap dancing fraternity founded in honor of Bill Robinson in 1949. His wife Audrey Thomas was also a vaudeville entertainer.
Estrellita Bernier Morse (1914-2003), daughter of a French father and a Venezuelan mother, was raised in Harlem. After dancing in Harlem chorus lines, she developed the popular comedy and vaudeville act Apus and Estrellita from the late 1930s onward in partnership with her husband Montrose Morse (1903-1971). He was known professionally as Apus Brooks.
The photographs are generally uncaptioned, but 18 appear to show Chink Lee and/or Audrey Thomas. A large cast photo of the 1939 musical production "Hot Mikado" stands out, with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson at center and Chink Lee standing to his right. Three photographs show the Apus & Estrellita duo on stage.
Three photographs may be of interest to the autograph collector. A striking portrait of the tap star Bill Robinson is signed and inscribed in 1938 "to Chink Lee, wishing you every thing that is good, copasetically." Count Basie signed and inscribed his photo "to my boy Chink." A portrait of the composer Eubie Blake is signed and inscribed to "the little Songbird . . . Miss Audrey" in 1945.
Included are 24 leaves of manuscript and typescript song lyrics and comedy outlines, most uncredited, a few by miscellaneous authors, and some written as dialogue for the comedy duo of Apus & Estrellita. Other manuscripts include two 1950 receipts for Apus & Estrellita theater bookings; a photostat of Thomas J. Lee's Army discharge; a Kit Kat Club menu signed by approximately 20 friends for Audrey Thomas in 1937; and a 1990 document in which Thomas Lee grants power of attorney to Estrellita Morse.
Printed ephemera includes the printed music to Bennie Benjamin's 1955 pop song "Of This I'm Sure," inscribed by the composer to "two very sweet people"; 8 other pieces of printed sheet music; a press release on Estrellita's back injury; and the 1984 funeral program for Count Basie.
Provenance: Chink Lee and Estrellita Morse were a couple later in life, and shared an address in the Bronx. Morse was our consignor's aunt.
