Legendary singer (1915–1959), revered as one of the greatest and most individual vocalists in the history of blues and jazz, who died from cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 44. Rare and superb ALS in pencil signed “Billie,” three pages on two 5.5 x 8.5 sheets of Stuart Hotel, Boston letterhead, no date. Holiday writes to “Hotch Darling.” In full [her spellings and punctuation retained]: “I supose you thought Id never write but honey you know how I hate it and weve been real busy making jumps from Boston to Newyork Boston to Asbury park and than a mattinee so you see dear I havent reaily had any time[.] I got the moota [sic] this morning and it is wonderful[.] Gee honey I wish there was something I could do for you as youre always doing some thing wonderful for me and it seems you always fall in just at the right moment as I woke up feeling very depresd[?] this morning and I sent down for my mail and there were a lot of beat write ups about me and goddam it all why cant they just let me alone[?] Realy I felt awful then I got your letters and I felt well I do have one very dear friend in the world so now honey Ill close and get as high as I can and think about you please excuse beat writing. As ever....” In very good condition, with light scattered wrinkling and creasing, short edge separations to folds, and chip and tear to right edge of first page (touching one word). Letters from Holiday—let alone one directly alluding to her career and with an unmistakable reference to the drug use that contributed to her demise—are of the greatest scarcity. R&R COA.
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