American musician and composer. He was the first person to recognize the importance of blues as a legitimate musical form and the first to publish a blues composition, “The Memphis Blues.” Vintage glossy 8 x 10 photo of Handy reading book and seeming lost in thought, signed and inscribed in fountain pen “Miss Irene Cauron (?), W.C. Handy, 3-3-1949.” In very good condition, with some creasing (not visible head on), two small tears to the left edge repaired on the reverse, slightly uneven ink flow. R&R COA.
