1976 ART BLAKEY PUBLICITY ENVELOPE W/ SIGNED LETTER FROM AGENT JACK WHITTEMORE

Baltimore: 1976. 1976 extensive Art Blakey publicity kit in original envelope addressed to Vernon Welch[sic], co-founder and booking agent of the Baltimore, Maryland-based Left Bank Jazz Society since 1964, from Jack Whittemore, Blakey's agent (who also represented Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Tommy Dorsey and others over different periods). This publicity material was originally sent with a series of contracts for an appearance by Blakey (contracts are not included, as they were signed and returned at the time-- along with deposit check, as the accompanying letter states). Includes at a typed letter signed by Mr. Whittemore to Vernon Welsh.


Great collection with 28 items, among them an original glossy 8x10 publicity photo, great handbills w/ photos, press, sticker, and at least one program from a past Blakey performance held by the L.B.J.S. at Famous Ballroom, Baltimore. It's hard to say if the kit was supplemented by other Blakey material on hand from the L.B.J.S. from earlier performances, but all of it is original to the period (1970's) and was received by Vernon from Blakey's agent. Condition is excellent- there is a straight fold in the letter, wear to the envelope, and a edgewear including a corner chip to the dark red paper that one photo is printed on, but otherwise everything is in outstanding shape.


Provenance: this lot is comprised of items drawn exclusively from the personal collection of Benny Kearse, who with Vernon Welsh co-founded the Left Bank Jazz Society in 1964 and served as its president for 7 years. $75.

1327752

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NOTES

LBJS #1