[BLUESBIG BILL BROONZY.]
Small group of items relating to William "Big Bill" Broonzy [1898-1958], blues singer, songwriter and guitarist, comprising:
1. Big Bill Blues: William Broonzy's Story. London: 1955. The portrait frontispiece inscribed by Broonzy "to 2 very good friends irine an jay, Best wishes from Big Bill Broonzy." Dust jacket (with loss), the front endpapers inscribed by others.
2. Autograph Letter Signed ("your old Pal Big Bill Broonzy"), [November 5, 1952], asking the couple "have yo heard from the catz yeat i did rite to them," and reporting that gospel singer "Mahali[a] Jackson an me is doing shows to gather an is she good ah Brother she can sing."
3. Autograph Lyrics, 1 p, 4to (in part, "i love that woman i tell yo it true / But i ant gonto put up with the way she do").
4. Autograph Postcard Signed.
5. Flier for a London concert inscribed by Broonzy "rite me at this address."
6. 3 gelatin silver prints, informal portraits of Broonzy.
"Ah Brother she can sing"a letter and lyrics from Big Bill Broonzy whose song "Black, Brown and White Blues" was paraphrased by Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery during President Obama's Inauguration.