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Auction: 317 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 1047

Holiday, Billie (1915-1959). Legendary American jazz and blues singer; an expressive voice combined with a worldly demeanor made her a perfect artist to sing songs that were daringly frank and socially aware, including her signature tune "Strange Fruit," died of cirrhosis at age 44. Rare and desirable Phonograph Record Signed "Billie Holiday" in white ink on dark purple and gold label. Billie signs her 78-rpm recording (O-Keh 6451) of "Gloomy Sunday" by composer Reszo Seress and lyricist Sam Lewis, released in 1941. The B-side, her recoding of Roy Jacob's "I'm in a Low Down Groove" is Signed by jazz trumpeter "Roy Eldridge". Some superficial loss to label on A-side, touching extreme left of the initial "B" in Holiday's signature. Minor scratches on B-side. Otherwise Very Good with record About Fine. In contemporary blank paper sleeve. "Gloomy Sunday" became infamous upon its original European release when its dolorous melody was blamed for a supposed rash of suicides. Sam Lewis added a third verse intended to lighten the song's mood, and Holiday's version was a hit in the U.S. O-keh was Columbia Record's "ethnic" label that highlighted jazz, blues and be-bop.

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$1,200