Spring Discovery Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/12/2013
This is an incredible piec form the amazing jazz and blues singer Billie Holiday. This is the contract for her last public performance dated .......Rare Document Signed, the Contract for Billie Holiday's Last Performance, one page, dated May 20, 1959, New York City, being an American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) Standard Form of Artists Engagement contract, for a one day concert at the Phoenix Theatre on May 25, which was her last performance, for which Holiday was to be paid $350. A typed notation adds that "Billie Holiday to Supply Pianist." Signed with a large ink signature :"Billie Holiday" and counter signed by the operator of the Phoenix Theatre.
Billie Holiday's last performance was at the Phoenix Theatre in New York City on May 25, 1959. That concert was fifty-three days before she tragically succumbed to a drug and alcohol addiction on July 17. Holiday was argueably the most influential singer in the genre of all-time. She was arrested on her deathbed for narcotics.
Document shows normal aging and handling, folds, overall very good. Accompanied with an 8 in. by 10 in. black and white bust photograph of Holiday. One of the most important Billie Holiday documents to come to market.
Incredible Billie Holiday's signed last Performance Contract
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