Opera Baritone Todd Duncan Signed Letters

, 1954; Two handwritten signed letters from singer/ actor Todd Duncan (1903-1998) addressed to early television director Jerome Shaw. Duncan, the original Porgy in "Porgy and Bess," was Gershwin’s personal choice, singing the role more than 1,800 times. His first operatic performance was in 1945 at the New York City Opera Company as Tonio in Leoncavallo’s "Pagliacci." He taught at Howard University for over fifty years, during which time he continued a rigorous concert performance schedule, logging over 2,000 performances the world over. He was a recipient of the George Peabody Medal, the Donaldson Award, the New York Drama Critic’s Award for "Lost In The Stars," and numerous domestic and foreign honorary awards and degrees. The first letter, dated Feb. 1, 1954, is written on stationery from the Hotel Monticello, Longview, Washington, and is in the original addressed and stamped envelope. In it Duncan at one point makes a pun by advising Shaw not to be consumed by his new responsibilities at the fledgling COLOR Television Department at CBS New York, calling him, "the nicest WHITE I ever knew." The second letter, dated January, 1955 on stationery from Chicago’s Hotel Sherman, suggests to Shaw that he view Duncan’s newly released movie, "Unchained" in order "to see what a lousy actor I am," and mentions his recently completed concert singing tour of Europe and Asia. It closes with congratulations to Shaw on his promotion to President of CBS Color. Both letters affectionately signed by Duncan "T.D." All items in Fine condition.