Mar 21, 2024 - Sale 2663

Sale 2663 - Lot 215

Price Realized: $ 1,250
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
(ENTERTAINMENT--MUSIC.) Collection of photographs and ephemera from Louis Armstrong and other jazzmen. 79 items in one box; generally minimal to minor wear. Various places, 1947-1962 and undated
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Additional Details

The collection includes 72 photographs, at least 10 of them including Armstrong and most of the remainder showing jazz shows or jazzmen including Duke Ellington. 32 are approximately 8 x 10 inches in black and white. 8 of them are about 7 x 5 inches; 22 are black and white snapshots in smaller formats; and 10 are color snapshots. 16 of the smaller black and whites apparently show the Eureka Brass Band of New Orleans marching in performance near the White House, May 1962.

A nude photograph of Armstrong stands out. It was discussed in the 29 March 2021 New York Times obituary of Armstrong's photographer Jack Bradley: "Mr. Bradley once photographed Armstrong naked from behind, in a dressing room. . . . Armstrong, when he heard the click of Mr. Bradley's camera, said, 'I want one of those!' An enlarged print of the photo hung in Armstrong's den." This copy bears Bradley's inked stamp on verso.

Reel to reel tape, ¼-inch, in mismatched box with parts marked "L. Armstrong--concert--master, Music Hall, Houston, 10-24-65" and "Spanier, McKenzie / Ewell"; we have not listened to the contents.

Issue of "Record Changer Magazine," the Louis Armstrong Golden Jubilee Issue dated July-August 1950, signed on the cover "Best wishes, Louis Armstrong."

Issue of "Jazz Record" magazine with Armstrong on the cover, February 1947.

With 4 non-Armstrong autographs: Photograph of pianist Booker Coleman signed "To my good friend Leon Vogel, Booker Coleman"; card signed "Leon, Thanks for everything, Booker [Coleman]," 24 December 1961; Christmas card signed "Art Smith, Swingin' the Blues"; and undated Christmas card from the well-known New Orleans duo Danny and Blue Lu Barker discussing the famous nude picture: "Hello, Leon. . . Can you send me Bill Riddle's address? I want to send him Armstrong's photo in the raw."

Provenance: collection of jazz collector and disc jockey Leon David Vogel (1914-2001). From the 22 April 1950 issue of Billboard: "Leon D. Vogel's Jazz Parade has been spotted as a Saturday feature on WFAX, Falls Church, Va. Vogel will stick to 'strictly traditional jazz and the great early blues singers, no bop or modern.' Most of the disks will be culled from his own collection."