Nat King Cole Vintage Photo and Program Archive -1960s

Cole, Nat King

About this Item

[African American] [Music & Entertainment] Nat King Cole is one of the most famous household names of jazz in the 20th century. He was also the first African American to host a variety show on television, which was some of the most consumed forms of entertainment during the mid to late 20th century. This archive of 7 pieces consists of 3 vintage black and white silver gelatin photographs and 4 concert programs ranging from 10-16 pages following the height of Cole's career from 1955-1964. Measurements range from 6.5" x 8.5" - 9" x 12". The photographs showcase Cole's impact and important role in the entertainment industry, from a photograph of the singer on a television stage performing undoubtedly one of his hit song, to him cordially greeting Queen Elizabeth backstage at the Palladium in London, and an interesting photo showing Cole meeting with president Johnson at the White House in support of his presidency. One program, in illustrated orange wrappers with three black and white images of Cole on the cover, is for the Circle Star Theatre in San Carlos, California, for the "Sights and Sounds of '64 Featuring Nat King Cole with The Merry Young Souls and Ronnie Martin." The program gives a brief biography of Cole from his childbirth to the height of his career, and many images show him shaking hands with big name producers and performing alongside other entertainers. Another program is illustrated in red and black with a large image of Cole on the front. It's titled "The Merry World of Nat King Cole" and showcases a small biography and many photos of him alongside his family, visiting an orphanage, and greeting fans. The smallest program is from 1955 during an Australian tour and shows an illustration of Cole on the cover. The program features a two page spread of Cole and many other entertainers. The last program has illustrated yellow wrappers and features Cole as well as other big name artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Paul Desmond. As an African American performer, Cole struggled to find his place in the Civil Rights movement. He had encountered racism firsthand, especially while touring in the South. In 1956, Cole had been attacked by white supremacists during a mixed race performance in Alabama. Although he claimed to be an entertainer and not an activist, his legacy is a testament to Black success during the time of Jim Crow. Some minor edge and corner wear to most, the final yellow program has more moderate soiling and a few pages disbound and includes a black and white photograph of "Les Brown and his Band of Renown" not involving Cole wedged inside, archive in overall very good condition. Seller Inventory # 20851

Bibliographic Details

Title: Nat King Cole Vintage Photo and Program ...

Binding: Soft cover