Swing Era (3 results)

Record. Very Good record and jacket. Bumping on jacket corners.

From the collection of Rolling Stones drummer and jazz aficionado Charlie Watts: a delightful set of promotional cards. Jazz artists include Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Dinah Shore and Lena Horne. From the sweeter side come Perry Como, Sammy Kaye, Charlie Spivak, The King Sisters, and from out of left field, Spike Jones. Fats Waller's death is remarked on his card, Glenn Miller was evidently still alive - "enlisted in the Army, September 1942" - so these cards must have been issued sometime between December 1943 and December 1944. 16 colour-printed post-cards (140 x 83 mm), together with the original printed envelope with metal "butterfly" clasp closure. Cards very slightly rubbed, the envelope a little soiled, the clasp rusting, but overall very good.

From the collection of the Rolling Stones drummer and jazz aficionado Charlie Watts, with his posthumous bookplate: a wonderful souvenir of this still-operating Pennsylvania ballroom at the height of the big band era. Portraits of the leaders are signed by Glenn Miller, Glen Gray, Benny Goodman, Guy Lombardo, Freddy Martin, Tommy Tucker, Wayne King, Woody Herman, and Clyde McCoy. Laid in is an orange "Reserved" table card signed by Glen Gray and most of his band including Kenny Sargent (vocals), Jack (Jacques) Blanchette (guitar, violin w/Isham Jones), Art Ralston (brass horns), Tony Briglia (drums), Dan D'Andrea (sax), and Murray McEachern (later Goodman's lead sax). In the book others of the orchestra have signed the Glen Gray page, including Clarence Hutchenrider (clarinet), Pat Davis (sax), Billy Rausch (trombone), Grady Watts (trumpet), Joe Hall (piano), Pee Wee Hunt (vocalist, guitar, trombone). Glenn Miller's signature is accompanied by that of his drummer Maurice Purtill, who had previously played with Tommy Dorsey. Quarto. Spiral-bound in brown pebble-grained leatherette, front cover lettered in gilt. Profusely illustrated. A little rubbed, lettering slightly oxidized, otherwise very good.