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. TLS, one page, 7.5 x 9.5, July 15, 1945. Letter to Walter Winchell. In part: “I can’t find the proper words to express my gratitude to you for the follow-up item which you printed about me. It certainly proves that the bigger they are, the nicer they are. It has already gone a long way toward clearing up the trouble the original item caused, I’ll never forget you for this kindness…I, of course, originally believed my letter to you was the cause. Shortly afterward, one of the publicity men in New York contacted me and claimed he was responsible for it. Can this be true? I have never met this man, though I had been thinking about engaging a permanent agent to help me in matters of this sort…If he did help me, then I want to engage him. If he didn’t, I would like to be sure he is merely claiming he was responsible…You’ll understand why I hate for an outsider to take credit for something he may not have done.” Beautifully triple-cloth-matted and framed with a portrait of the singer to an overall size of 21 x 17.75. In fine condition. Accompanied by a TLS from Al Rylander at Columbia Pictures from the original source of the story, in part: “One morning, O’Brien came into my office and said I must help her look for Billie Holliday [sic]; that her mother had called and said she had not been home for a few days…found that Jimmy Dorsey was the last one to see her and that he had put her in a cab about four o’clock in the morning, drunker than a Lord…About three days later she showed up, refusing to tell anyone where she had been. It was then that I found this was a frequent occurrence with her.” The original piece was published in the Daily Mirror and contained this account of how Holiday had drunkenly disappeared for several days. An amazing, extremely rare example—this is the first typed letter we have offered—associated with Holiday’s personal struggles and attempts to control her public image. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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