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, not by the Gallery of History: 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.

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.

The Mamas and the Papas sign a document amending their agreement with Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. Rare Typed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Phillips", "Cass Elliot" and "Dennis Doherty", 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1967 August 17. To the Grammy Award-winning duo in letter form from Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. Amendment to their Agreement of October 4, 1965 (updated on April 28, 1966). In part: "Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. shall have the right to assign to Wingate Music Corp., all rights acquired by it pursuant to the terms of the Agreement including, without limitation the songwriting services of any or all of you and any copyrights acquired thereunder...." Also signed: "Larry Newton" as President of Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. The Mamas and the Papas, who were formed in New York in 1964 and disbanded in 1972, had already had a Grammy Award-winning hit, "Monday, Monday" (1966), by the time they signed this document. Their other hits included "California Dreamin'" and "Dedicated to the One I Love". In September 1967, just a month after signing this document, the Mamas and the Papas hired Lou Alder, who also managed Jan & Dean and Carole King, to supervise, direct and produce their recording sessions.

Working Manuscript for his song "Walking Thru My Dreams" which was released immediately after his death. Autograph Manuscript, not signed, 1p, 8x10½. Original working manuscript of his song "Walking Thru My Dreams". The song was released immediately after his death in a plane crash near Mason City, Iowa on February 3, 1959. The crash also killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. In full with misspellings: "Walking thru my Dreams/When I close my eyes/I cant fall a sleep/keep tossin & a turnin tumbling/a talking & a mumblin'/What to do/I start countin sheep/& end up countin kisses/Its you I always see/I want you close to me/keep dreaming about you/Walking thru my dreams/I see your lovely face/walking thru my dreams each nite/Walkin thru every place/but I only love you in my dreams & that/aint right./But who knows somday, dreams came/true it seems/So there in slumber land, I know ill hold/your hand/& we'll go walkin thru my dreams." This song was released on the flip side of the ballad "Someone Watching Over You". Some of the Big Bopper's best works were written during his many sleepless nights that he had often utilized for creative inspiration.

His two-sided hit record "Donna"/ "La Bamba," inscribed and signed on the label and framed in a display to 33x18. Record inscribed and signed: "Love/To Mary/Ritchie/Valens" on label of "Donna" side. 45-rpm record, produced by DelFi, "Donna" on one side, "La Bamba" on the flip side. Born Richard Valenzuela in 1941 in California's San Fernando Valley, the 17-year-old Chicano rocker was given the stage name Ritchie Valens before the release of his first hit, "Come On, Let's Go", which rose to Number 42 on the U.S. charts in October 1958. After this tune's regional success in the western states, Valens quickly followed up with two nationally popular songs. Written for his girlfriend, the sentimental and somewhat mournful "Donna" was a surprising contrast to the tune on the record's flip side, the vibrant "La Bamba", a Rock and Roll version of a Latino folk dance. "Donna" quickly rose into the Top 10, resulting in Valens' instant demand on the concert circuit. The song was released shortly before his death in a plane crash near Mason City, Iowa, February 3, 1959. Label lightly scuffed and worn, else fine. Tape stains and slight paper loss on label on verso. Record in fine condition.

The Mamas and Papas sign a document requesting that the royalties from Dunhill Records, Inc. be paid. Rare Typed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Phillips", "Cass Elliot" and "Dennis Doherty", 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1967 September 26. To Dunhill Records, Beverly Hills. In full: "The undersigned hereby irrevocably instruct and direct you to pay a sum equal to twenty (20%) per cent of any and all royalties payable to us from Dunhill Records, Inc., attributable to the sale of records embodying our performances on master recordings produced by Lou Adler, to Mr. Lou Adler at 800 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles, California 90024. All recording costs are to be borne solely by us." Adler's name and address are crossed out in black pen, most probably before this document was sold to a collector/dealer. The day after this contract, Adler resigned from Dunhill Records and was hired by The Mamas and the Papas to be their producer and as an independent contractor to supervise, direct and produce their recording sessions. Adler also managed Jan & Dean and Carole King. The Mamas and the Papas were formed in New York in 1964 and disbanded in 1972. Their hits include "California Dreamin'", "Monday, Monday" (1966 Grammy) and "Dedicated to the One I Love".

The singing group The Mamas and the Papas sign a document terminating their contract with Lou Adler. Rare Partly Printed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Phillips", "Dennis Doherty", "Cass Elliot" and "Lou Adler", 2p, 8½x10½, separate sheets. No place, 1967 September 27. To Lou Adler, who has signed under "Agreed to and Accepted". In part: "We have requested that you terminate your contract with Dunhill Records, Inc., pursuant to which you act as our Producer in connection with the making of phonograph records for Dunhill Records, Inc. In consideration of your doing so, and in consideration of your rendering services as our Producer in the future, we agree as follows: We hereby engage your nonexclusive services as a producer and as an independent contractor to supervise, direct and produce our recording sessions, up to the point of delivery of finished tapes...." The award winning quartet, whose songs include "Monday, Monday", hires their producer, agreeing to pay him "two (2%) percent of the suggested retail list price of all records manufactured and sold after January 1, 1967....…"

Jerry Garcia Nude Man with Beard Painting (undated). Original Artwork Signed “Garcia”. Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia presents us with the "full Monty" in this oil on stretched canvas painting. Approximately 23¾ x 18 visible, framed to an overall size of 26x33. Fine condition. Accompanied by letter of provenance. THE GRATEFUL DEAD, the most enduring band of the psychedelic era, released a number of recordings, however they were best known for their concert tours which attracted thousands of fans, called "Deadheads", who faithfully followed the band on its many concert tours. The Dead, which toured extensively from the winter of 1965 through July 9, 1995 (except in 1975), was founded in San Francisco from remnants of Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions by JERRY GARCIA in 1965. Other original members included BOB WEIR (guitar, vocals) and PHIL LESH (bass) who, like Garcia, played with the Dead from 1965 to 1995. MICKEY HART joined the band as a second drummer in 1968. Keyboardist BRENT MYDLAND performed with the band from 1980 until his death from a drug overdose a decade later. Garcia himself, the core of the group, was found dead in his room at a rehab center in 1995.

Promissory note in the amount of $20,000 signed by all four members. Promissory note signed “J. Phillips”, “Michelle Phillips”, “Dennis Doherty” and “Cass Elliot”. 1p, 8x9. No place, December 1, 1966. In part: “FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned do severally and jointly promise to pay to Dunhill Records Ltd., or order, at the office of Dunhill Records Ltd. At 1330 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10019, or at such other place as may be designated in writing by the holder of this note, the principal sum of Twenty Thousand ($20,000.) Dollars together with interest on the principal sum accruing from the date hereof at the rate of six (6%) percent per annum, said payment to be made on demand provided that no demand shall be made prior to May 31, 1967.” The Mamas and the Papas, who were formed in New York in 1964 and disbanded in 1972, created a Grammy Award-winning hit, "Monday, Monday" (1966). Their other hits included "California Dreamin'" and "Dedicated to the One I Love". CASS ELLIOT was only 30 when she died of a heart attack in London in 1974. JOHN PHILLIPS was 65 when he died in 2001 of heart failure. DENNIS "DENNY" DOHERTY died in 2007 at age 66.

Signed yearbook-style high school photo (2½x3½) Photograph signed:"Ritchie/Valens". B/w, 2½ x 3½. High school rocker Ritchie Valens signed this photo taken during his senior year. That school year, the 17-year-old named Richard Valenzuela was discovered by Del-Fi Records. Valens' first record, "Come On, Let's Go," became an overnight success in September 1958. The following February, the young singer-songwriter joined the Winter Dance Party Tour with Buddy Holley. During the Tour, their plane crashed (February 3, 1959), taking the lives of Holly, J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson, the pilot and Valens, whose hits would include "Donna" and "La Bamba". Lightly creased. Fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 14¼ x 21¾.