Programme signed by jazz great Louis Armstrong discovered by Lichfield auctioneers

Programme signed by jazz great Louis Armstrong discovered by Lichfield auctioneers

A SIGNED British tour programme for beloved jazz great Louis Armstrong has been discovered at The Lichfield Auction Centre.

Signed on the back cover by the trumpeter and vocalist probably in Birmingham during his 1956 tour, the programme is also signed by US jazz clarinettist and band leader Edmund Hall, American jazz pianist Billy Kyle and other musicians.

An autograph by jazz vocalist Velma Middleton – with whom Armstrong recorded ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ a number of times – is paperclipped inside the front cover together with the ticket stub dated May 17 1956 at the Embassy Sports Drome, Walford Road, Sparkhill.

It goes under the hammer with Richard Winterton Auctioneers on Monday, November 20.

An autograph by jazz vocalist Velma Middleton – with whom Armstrong recorded ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ a number of times – is paperclipped inside the front cover together with the ticket stub dated May 17 1956 at the Embassy Sports Drome, Walford Road, Sparkhill.

Also featuring in the lot are 13 other programmes including three signed Jack Teagarden, Cozy Cole, 'Peanuts' Hucko and Earl Hines, two signed by Stan Kenton and one also signed by members of his orchestra Lennie Niehaus, Sam Noto and Lee Katzman.

Included too are non-signed programmes for Count Basie (with ticket stub), Ella Fitzgerald (with whom Armstrong collaborated, producing three LPs together), Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Oscar Peterson Trio and Sidney Bechet, plus a copy of the French 'Hot Jazz' magazine from April 1955.

The impressive collection was discovered by an eagle-eyed valuer at The Lichfield Auction Centre amongst a box of contents from a house clearance.

Also featuring in the lot are programmes for Count Basie (with ticket stub) and Ella Fitzgerald (with whom Armstrong collaborated).

“Nicknamed Satchmo, Satch and also Pops, Louis Armstrong remains one of the most influential and beloved figures in American music,” said auctioneer Richard Winterton.

“His 50-year career spanned several eras of jazz and he rightly retains legendary status as one of the all-time greats.

“To discover a programme from 67 years ago personally signed by Satch in a box from a house clearance is a fantastic find and a great illustration of the painstaking care taken by our brilliant team every single day.”

A programme for Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the front of the Louis Armstrong programme and two signed by Stan Kenton.

The archive features in Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ Antiques & Home Sale on Monday, November 20, starting at 9.30am at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, WS13 8NF.

The catalogue can be accessed online line via our Auction Dates page a week before the sale and viewing in person takes place at The Lichfield Auction Centre by appointment on Friday, November 17.

To arrange a telephone bid, book viewing or make an appointment for free valuations of all types of items, call 01543 251081 or email office@richardwinterton.co.uk.

Free home visits for large collections and house clearance quotations are also available.