handwritten letter Archives

In our September 20th auction, many jazz items and ephemera caught bidders’ attention. On November 22nd we are excited to present Session II of the collection.

Included in Session II is an of an extensive collection of early jazz items, including an Ella Fitzgerald signed recording agreement with Clef Records, a rare handwritten music sheet by Charlie Christian, a Billie Holiday signed contract to perform at the Loop Lounge in Cleveland, 1956, a Surrogates Court Order related to the estate of Billie Holiday, and a collection of Billie Holiday original orchestral arrangement sheets. Additional artists represented in the auction include Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lester Young, and Fats Waller, among others.

A silver gelatin photo of Billie Holliday with Art Tatum, Oscar Pettiford and Sid Catlett, circa 1945, Washington, DC. Sold: $5,120 — A silver gelatin photo of Billie Holliday with Art Tatum, Oscar Pettiford and Sid Catlett, circa 1945, Washington, DC.
**Sold: $5,120**

A rare Billie Holiday handwritten letter to her last husband, Louie Mackay. Sold: $4,160 — A rare Billie Holiday handwritten letter to her last husband, Louie Mackay.
**Sold: $4,160**

A jazz era Hot Club de Belgique poster, Morris Levy’s Birdland 56 Modern Jazz Quartet: Milt Jackson, John Lewis and others. <br><b>Sold: $3,150</b> — A jazz era Hot Club de Belgique poster, Morris Levy’s Birdland 56 Modern Jazz Quartet: Milt Jackson, John Lewis and others.
**Sold: $3,150**

Two signed Count Basie MCA jazz press photos in binder, each include numerous signatures including Billie Holiday. Sold: $3,200 — Two signed Count Basie MCA jazz press photos in binder, each include numerous signatures including Billie Holiday.
**Sold: $3,200**

A Billie Holiday signed Vocalion Body and Soul jazz album. Sold: $1,024 — A Billie Holiday signed Vocalion *Body and Soul* jazz album.
**Sold: $1,024**

A ‘Billie Holiday Sings in Greenwich Village,’ NY large handbill. Sold: $1,536 — A ‘Billie Holiday Sings in Greenwich Village,’ NY large handbill.
**Sold: $1,536**

A Norman Granz Jazz at the Philharmonic April 14, 1957 concert in Amsterdam poster. Sold: $1,920 — A Norman Granz Jazz at the Philharmonic April 14, 1957 concert in Amsterdam poster.
**Sold: $1,920**

A rare Billie Holiday handwritten letter to a fan at the Taft School in Watertown, CT. Sold: $3,520 — A rare Billie Holiday handwritten letter to a fan at the Taft School in Watertown, CT.
**Sold: $3,520**

October Gallery Auction Highlights

Our auction on October 17th will feature a curated selection of Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Art, and Fine Jewelry & Watches.

Auction
Highlights

Musical Instrument Collection of Hank Risan

Hank Risan’s musical instrument collection included more than 750 examples of fine 19th and 20th century acoustic instruments.

Furniture & Decorative Arts
Highlights

Memorabilia from The Maltese Falcon

On October 17th, Clars is proud to offer an iconic piece of Hollywood history: a Maltese Falcon prop from the 1941 film noir classic.

Furniture & Decorative Arts
Highlights

A Step Back in Time!

Clars Auctions’ Senior Vice President, Deric Torres, was honored to participate in a celebration hosted by The Menlo Park Historical Association and The Museum of American Heritage.