W. C. HANDY. Signed Photograph, no place, 23 November 1934.
Matted and framed.
An African American composer and musician, W. C. Handy was called the
“Father of the Blues.” He popularized the form by codifying
and publishing blues songs and by writing his own famous works, including
“St. Louis Blues,” “Memphis Blues,” and “Beale
Street Blues.”
This striking and attractive photo of Handy, by Nasib of New York, measures
9" x 7¼". The sepia-toned image shows him full length,
dressed entirely in white – wearing a three-piece white suit,
white shoes, and a white hat – and standing against a dark studio
backdrop. Handy is looking straight at the camera, smiling, and is in
a relaxed pose, with one hand in a pocket. He has signed vertically,
along his white pants legs for good contrast, “To Doris Alexander
Many good wishes W. C. Handy 11/23/34.”
The photo is in very good condition; it has a few minor surface scratches
in the background at the left, but these are not readily noticeable.
The photo is contained in a cream mat with a black undermat and a carved
black wood frame. The overall size of the piece, framed, is 17½"
x 15". $850.00
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