Thomas "Fats" Waller signs an autograph musical quotation. Autograph Music Quotation signed: "Best Wishes/Thanks/Thomas 'Fats' Waller", 1p, 6x8¼. Bar of music identified by the jazz pianist as "Ain't Misbehavin!/No! No!!" Thomas "Fats" Waller (1904-1943) left DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, New York, in 1917 after one year because he felt he was wasting his time. "There isn't any rhythm in algebra" he complained. His father was a well-known violinist, so Thomas was allowed to leave Clinton to get a job so he could afford piano lessons. He was only 17 when he pressed his first records and made his first piano rolls, and at 19 he initiated his first radio broadcasts. In 1929, Waller wrote the score for the Broadway hit Hot Chocolates. His most famous song "Ain't Misbehavin'" was introduced in the show, which featured Louis Armstrong. Waller was only 39 when he died of pneumonia. Two unrelated autographs, dated 1939 on verso (no show through). Irregular left edge. Lightly shaded at margins. Light diagonal stain touches the top of the "T" in Thomas. Overall, fine condition.

Scarce photograph of the 1950s Rock 'N' Roller Rare Photograph inscribed and signed: "To / Reg - / Thanks / for the wonderful / hospitality / Big / Bopper". B/w, 6¾ x 8½. Publicity photograph by Van Dyck Studio, Beaumont (imprint at lower left edge). Ink lightly beaded (completely legible). Minor surface creases (most not evident head on) at background. Fine condition. Framed by unknown individual: 15¼x17¾. Not reviewed by us for conservation integrity. Mat has separated from frame, resulting in the photograph not being flush with glass. Frame is scratched and chipped, backing paper is torn at upper portion. "As is" framing. Jiles Perry Richardson (1930-1959) was a Texas disc jockey who called himself "The Big Bopper" after the latest dance craze, the bop. His song, "Chantilly Lace", which he wrote and sang, reached the "Top Ten" in 1958. In January 1959, The Big Bopper was booked on the Winter Dance Party tour that would cover most of the Midwest. The tour included such headliners as Buddy Holly, Dion and the Belmonts, Waylon Jennings and Ritchie Valens.

This signed 28-page contract confirms that the singer will star in the 1958 film Kings Go Forth Contract signed: "Frank Sinatra" in ink on last page. Twenty-eight pages. 8½x11. Separate sheets. California. Dated August 20, 1957. Contract between Frank Ross-Eton Productions and Hobart Productions, Inc. for Sinatra to star as Sam Loggins in a film tentatively titled Kings Go Forth at a salary of $200,000. Contract in Part: "Hobart agrees to furnish to Employer the services of Artist...to act, play and perform the role of Sam Loggins in the motion picture photoplay tentatively entitled 'KINGS GO FORTH'...employer agrees to pay to Hobart...the sum of $200,000, payable at the rate of $20,000 per week...it is agreed that the name of Artist shall be above the title of the photoplay, and Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, and Frank Ross shall be the only other parties who shall receive credit above the title of the photoplay" Also signed by representatives from Frank Ross Productions, Eton Productions, Inc. and Hobart Productions, Inc. Frank Sinatra starred as First Lieutenant Sam Loggins in Kings Go Forth, which was released in 1958. That year, he was also seen on the big screen in Some Came Running. His production company, Hobart Productions, Inc.

The Mamas and Papas sign a document to Dunhill Records, Inc., Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. and Wingate Music Corp. Rare Typed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Gilliam Phillips", "Cass Elliot" and "Dennis Doherty", 3p, 8½x11, separate sheets. No place, 1967 September 28. In letter form to Dunhill Records, Inc., Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. and Wingate Music Corp. A listing of seven points to confirm the "understanding and agreement between you and the undersigned....". In part: "Trousdale agrees to cancel as of October 1, 1966 the 10% collection charge which was deducted in the computation of our writers' royalties for the last half of 1966...We acknowledge and agree that mechanical royalties are payable by Dunhill and its parent and affiliated companies to Trousdale and Wingate on 90% of gross sales and that writers' royalties are payable by Trousdale and Wingate on the same 90% basis...You and we hereby acknowledge that the sum of $13,330 was expended for re-mastering and reprinting slicks and labels in connection with the replacement of Jill Gibson...." Also signed three times by the President the music entities with whom the contract was made.

Magazine Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Rick/love/Madonna". Color, 8x11. Madonna rocketed to stardom in 1984 with her album, Like a Virgin, followed by her hit song "Material Girl", which reached number two on the charts in 1985. She has won four Grammy Awards for performing and one for composing ("Beautiful Stranger" from Austin Powers The Spy Who Shagged Me). Although the Razzie Awards named her "Worst Actress of the Century", admirers of her work in films like A League of Their Own (1992) and Evita (1996) will dispute that verdict. Lightly creased. Moisture stain (1x1½) in lower left corner. Otherwise, fine condition. Accompanied by Roger Epperson COA and PSA/DNA LOA.