1923
A portrait of Bessie Smith. Written on recto: Photo, 1923, by Edward Elcha, courtesy of Rudi Blesh. Bessie Smith in 1923, the year of her first record, which sold 780,000 copies in six months. It earned her only $125, but it established her as the leading blues singer. From BESSIE SMITH: EMPRESS OF THE BLUES (Schirmer Books/Frank Music, April 15).
African American women, Portraits and people, African American arts, Music--Performance, Singers
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection
1920/1930
A portrait of Alberta Hunter. Written on recto: All my love to my darling Harold Sincerely, Alberta
African American women, Portraits and people, African American arts, Singers
Countee Cullen-Harold Jackman Memorial Collection