W.C. Handy Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
W.C. HANDY
Born: November 16, 1873 in Florence, Alabama
Died: March 29, 1958 in New York City, New York
Biography
Songwriter, cornetist and bandleader W.C. HANDY (1873-1958), who was known as the "Father of the Blues", did not invent the "Blues", but he was one of the first to use the term in a song title ("Memphis Blues" in 1912), and he published "blue notes" in his compositions, which also included "Beale Street Blues" (1916). Handy, who conducted his own band (1903-1921)before becoming a music publisher in the 1920s, was a popular performer until the mid-1940s, when he retired due to failing eyesight.
1931-Sky-High (Sound), 1929-Is-Everybody-Happy (Sound), 1928-Dick-Rich-and-His-Synco-Symphonists (Sound), 2004-The-Aviator (Sound), 1997-Cybill (Sound), 1959-The-Tennessee-Ernie-Ford-Show (Sound), 1956-Juventud-desenfrenada (Sound), 1954-The-Liberace-Show (Sound), 1951-The-Strip (Sound), 1947-Columbia-Thrills-of-Music:-Boyd-Raeburn-and-His-Orchestra (Sound), 1945-The-Crimson-Canary (Sound), 1939-Moon-Over-Harlem (Sound), 1936-The-Black-Network (Sound), 1935-Broadway-Ballyhoo (Sound), 1933-Seasoned-Greetings (Sound), 1933-Baby-Face (Sound), 1933-That's-the-Spirit (Sound), 1932-The-Musical-Doctor (Sound), 1932-Faithless (Sound), 1931-What-Price-Pants (Sound), 1931-Blue-Rhythm (Sound), 2013-Blue-Jasmine (Sound), 2013-The-Great-Gatsby (Sound), 1958-The-Ed-Sullivan-Show (Other), 2008-Thou-Shalt-Not:-Sex,-Sin-and-Censorship-in-Pre-Code-Hollywood (Sound), 2004-Kill-Bill:-Vol.-2 (Sound), 1997-Wild-Man-Blues (Sound), 1968-Savages-from-Hell (Sound), 1958-Jazz-Party (Sound), 1958-The-Dinah-Shore-Chevy-Show (Sound), 1955-Pete-Kelly's-Blues (Sound), 1945-Flirty-Birdy (Sound), 1944-Hi,-Good-Lookin'! (Sound), 1943-Bataan (Sound), 1937-Stella-Dallas (Sound), 1933-Borrah-Minnevitch-and-His-Harmonica-Rascals (Sound), 1932-I-Am-a-Fugitive-from-a-Chain-Gang (Sound), 1932-Rain (Sound), 1932-The-Age-of-Consent (Sound), 1932-Red-Headed-Woman (Sound), 1932-Young-Bride (Sound), 1931-Safe-in-Hell (Sound), 1929-St.-Louis-Blues (Sound), 1986-Death-of-a-Soldier (Music Department), 1929-St.-Louis-Blues (Music Department), 1929-St.-Louis-Blues (Producer), 1951-Wonderful-Town,-U.S.A. (in person), 1950-The-Milton-Berle-Show (in person), 1993-Bluesland:-A-Portrait-in-American-Music (Other), 2010-Boardwalk-Empire (Sound), 1939-Murder-in-the-Night (Sound), 1962-Ring-a-Ding-Rhythm! (Sound), 1959-Perry-Como's-Kraft-Music-Hall (Sound), 1929-Hallelujah (Sound), 2005-The-Eight (Sound), 2004-Unforgivable-Blackness:-The-Rise-and-Fall-of-Jack-Johnson (Sound), 2002-A-Nero-Wolfe-Mystery (Sound), 2001-The-Majestic (Sound), 1999-The-Thirteenth-Floor (Sound), 1984-Karkalou (Sound), 1961-Stagecoach-West (Sound), 1957-Satchmo-the-Great (Sound), 1954-The-Glenn-Miller-Story (Sound), 1953-The-I-Don't-Care-Girl (Sound), 1943-A-Guy-Named-Joe (Sound), 1938-Vitaphone-Capers (Sound), 1936-Banjo-on-My-Knee (Sound), 1935-Rambling-'Round-Radio-Row (Sound), 1934-Belle-of-the-Nineties (Sound), 1933-The-Emperor-Jones (Sound), 1933-Hold-Your-Man (Sound), 1932-Winner-Take-All (Sound), 1932-Dancers-in-the-Dark (Sound), 1932-Those-Blues (Sound), 1931-Night-Nurse (Sound), 1931-Nine-O'Clock-Folks (Sound), 1930-Dixie-Days (Sound), 1930/II-Metro-Movietone-Revue (Sound), 1957-Satchmo-the-Great (in person), 1954-This-Is-Your-Life (in person), 1974-The-Great-Gatsby (Sound), 1954-Blackout (Sound), 2008-The-Last-Christmas-Party (Sound), 2001-2005-American-Masters (Sound), 2003/I-Swing (Sound), 2003-Mwah!-The-Best-of-the-Dinah-Shore-Show (Sound), 2001-The-Cat's-Meow (Sound), 1998-Where-the-Heart-Is (Sound), 1994-Exit-to-Eden (Sound), 1994-The-Client (Sound), 1989-John-Huston:-The-Man,-the-Movies,-the-Maverick (Sound), 1965-The-Love-Goddesses (Sound), 1964-The-Judy-Garland-Show (Sound), 1957-1959-Timex-All-Star-Jazz-Show (Sound), 1958-The-Defiant-Ones (Sound), 1958-St.-Louis-Blues (Sound), 1951-This-Is-Music (Sound), 1947-New-Orleans (Sound), 1946-Do-You-Love-Me (Sound), 1944-Jam-Session (Sound), 1943-Is-Everybody-Happy (Sound), 1943-So's-Your-Uncle (Sound), 1942-The-Gay-Sisters (Sound), 1942-The-Next-of-Kin (Sound), 1941-Birth-of-the-Blues (Sound), 1939-St.-Louis-Blues (Sound), 1938-Sweethearts (Sound), 1937-Community-Sing:-Series-2,-No.-1 (Sound), 1933-The-Mind-Reader (Sound), 1933-King-Kong (Sound), 1933-Ladies-They-Talk-About (Sound), 1933-Barber-Shop-Blues (Sound), 1932-Scarface (Sound), 1930-Up-the-River (Sound), 1929-At-the-Party (Sound), 1955-Person-to-Person (in person), 1952-Battle-of-the-Ages (in person), 1949-1957-The-Ed-Sullivan-Show (in person), 1951-Eddie-Peabody-and-Sonny-Burke's-Orchestra (Sound), 1959-La-rebelion-de-los-adolescentes (Music Department), 1944-Artistry-in-Rhythm (Sound)
Black-and-Blue - Music (January 26, 1989 - January 20, 1991), Bubbling-Brown-Sugar - Music (March 2, 1976 - December 31, 1977), At-Home-With-Ethel-Waters - Music (September 22, 1953 - October 10, 1953), Swingin'-The-Dream - Music (November 29, 1939 - December 9, 1939), Change-Your-Luck - Music (June 6, 1930 - June 19, 1930), Shubert-Gaieties-of-1919 - Music (July 17, 1919 - October 18, 1919)
Style
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W.C. HANDY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 04/08/1957 - HFSID 257382Photograph of W. C. Handy sitting at a piano, inscribed and signed: "Mr Jo Rolando Jr/William C Handy/4-8-57". Handy, known as the "Father of the Blues", published significant works including Memphis Blues and St. Louis Blues.
Sale Price $595.00
$700.00
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W.C. HANDY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 05/14/1956 - HFSID 327869Photograph inscribed by W.C. Handy, known as the "Father of the Blues," shows him reading a piano lesson book. Signed in blue ink: "Miss Pauline Myra/William C. Handy, 5-14-1956". The item highlights his significance in music history.
Price: $750.00
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W.C. HANDY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 06/20/1947 - HFSID 272464Photograph showing W.C. Handy receiving the key to St. Louis from Mayor A.P. Kaufmann, inscribed and signed: "To Kenneth E. Wade/W.C. Handy/6-20-1947". Captioned with details of the event on May 23rd, 1947.
Price: $700.00
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W.C. HANDY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 08/16/1950 - HFSID 172391Photograph of W.C. Handy playing his trumpet, inscribed and signed: “Mr Eddie Sousa/W.C. Handy/8-16-1950”. Handy, known as the "Father of the Blues," published iconic works such as “Memphis Blues” and “St. Louis Blues”.
Price: $600.00
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W.C. HANDY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 08/16/1950 - HFSID 174021Photograph of W.C. Handy reading a book, inscribed and signed: “To Mr. & Mrs. Sousa/W.C. Handy/8-16-1950.” Handy, known as the Father of the Blues, is recognized for codifying and publishing songs known as “the blues.”
Price: $500.00
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W.C. HANDY - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 321985Photograph of W.C. Handy with his family, signed "W.C. Handy", with additional inscription on verso: "My daughter Lucille/My grandson Homer/My Cousin Blanch Poole/+ myself". Handy is recognized as the "Father of the Blues."
Price: $800.00
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W.C. HANDY - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH 06/05/1956 - HFSID 174022Photograph of W.C. Handy holding a book of sheet music for W.C. Handy's Blues Classics. Signed "William C Handy/6-5-56" and inscribed to Mr. Eddie Sousa. Handy is recognized as the "Father of the Blues."
Price: $750.00
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W.C. HANDY - COLLECTION WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 90194W.C. Handy items include a typed letter signed, acknowledging receipt for an autographed copy of Saint Louis Blues and sending music for Memphis Blues. Also included is a signed black-and-white photograph. Both are in fine condition.
Price: $1,200.00
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W.C. HANDY - INSCRIBED MAGAZINE PHOTO SIGNED 04/21/1953 - HFSID 279524Magazine photo of W. C. Handy, signed and dated in 1953. Inscription reads "Master Allen /Wallace Handy/4-21-1953" in blue ink. Handy, known as the "Father of the Blues", was influential in early blues music.
Price: $700.00
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W.C. HANDY - INSCRIBED SHEET MUSIC COVER SIGNED 10/12/1942 - HFSID 287852Sheet music for Twenty-Third Psalm, published by Handy Bros. Music Co. in 1939, is inscribed and signed by W. C. Handy: "To Mrs. Adele R. Grebel / W. C. Handy 10-17-42". Handy, known as the "Father of the Blues," composed St. Louis Blues.
Price: $500.00
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W.C. HANDY - INSCRIBED SHEET MUSIC COVER SIGNED 11/06/1957 - HFSID 45852Copy of The Saint Louis Blues signed and dated by W.C. Handy on the cover, inscribed as "[illegible]/W.C. Handy/11-6-1957". This 6-page sheet music is a revised edition for ukulele arrangement published in 1942.
Sale Price $595.00
$700.00
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W.C. HANDY - INSCRIBED SHEET MUSIC SIGNED - HFSID 87292Sheet music for Saint Louis Blues signed by W.C. Handy, inscribed: "To/Mr Arthur Loesser/With sincere appreciation/and many good wishes/W.C. Handy/". Handy composed this popular tune in 1914 and is known as "The Father of the Blues."
Sale Price $495.00
$600.00
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W.C. HANDY - INSCRIBED SHEET MUSIC SIGNED 02/20/1950 - HFSID 168926Copy of The Saint Louis Blues signed and dated by W.C. Handy on the cover, inscribed as "Wes Ballred/W.C. Handy/2-20-1950". This is a revised edition of the ukulele arrangement published in 1942 by Genuine American Music.
Price: $800.00
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W.C. HANDY - INSCRIBED SHEET MUSIC SIGNED 04/29/1946 - HFSID 167796Sheet music signed by W. C. Handy, inscribed with "To Moe Gale Esqr/who has done/so much/for music/W.C. Handy/4-29/46". It is for "The Memphis Blues", a song he composed, which greatly influenced the blues genre.
Price: $600.00
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W.C. HANDY - INSCRIBED SHEET MUSIC SIGNED 09/27/1946 - HFSID 174550Sheet music inscribed and signed by W. C. Handy with the inscription "To G.C. Gliespie/W.C. Handy/9-27-46". The piece is for the song "Opportunity", composed by Handy with lyrics by Walter Malone, published in 1934.
Sale Price $495.00
$600.00
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W.C. HANDY - INSCRIBED SHEET MUSIC SIGNED 12/19/1934 - HFSID 255212Sheet music signed and inscribed by W.C. Handy, stating "To O. C Drouilard/Season's Greetings/W.C. Handy/12-19-'34." This is a "Souvenir Edition" of his popular tune "St. Louis Blues," showcasing his significant contributions to blues music.
Sale Price $595.00
$700.00
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W.C. HANDY - INSCRIBED SHEET MUSIC SIGNED 1932 - HFSID 79749Sheet music for St. Louis Blues inscribed and signed by W. C. Handy, stating, "To Harry Walman/W.C. Handy/'The Author'/Armistice Day/1932" on the front cover. Printed by Handy Bros. Music Co., Inc. in 1932.
Price: $1,000.00
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W.C. HANDY - INSCRIBED SHEET MUSIC SIGNED 1950 - HFSID 87936Sheet music to "Careless Love" signed and inscribed by W. C. Handy as "To Miss Hanna Norris/W.C. Handy/1950". Handy, known as the "Father of the Blues", significantly impacted American music through his compositions and publications.
Price: $600.00
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W.C. HANDY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 01/07/1944 - HFSID 217298Typed letter signed by W.C. Handy, dated January 7, 1944, addressed to Joe Laurie, Jr. and his wife, discussing his health and inquiring about the cast of Memory Lane. Includes a handwritten postscript mentioning Rosamond's visit.
Price: $900.00
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W.C. HANDY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 06/13/1946 - HFSID 161465Typed letter signed by W. C. Handy, dated June 13, 1946, discusses his activities and thanks a fan. The letter mentions sending an autographed copy of Saint Louis Blues, revealing details about his performances and his eyesight issues.
Sale Price $625.00
$750.00
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W.C. HANDY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 07/29/1942 - HFSID 86773Typed letter signed by W.C. Handy, dated July 29, 1942, addresses Mr. Marius Risley. The letter discusses Handy's collaboration on a song and mentions his performance of St. Louis Blues. It is written on personal stationery.
Sale Price $625.00
$750.00
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W.C. HANDY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 12/08/1932 - HFSID 147702Typed letter discussing St. Louis Blues signed by W.C. Handy as "W.C. Handy/Treas", dated December 8, 1932. The letter, on Handy Brothers Music Co. letterhead, is addressed to H.C. Darnell at RCA Victor Company, Inc.
Price: $1,200.00