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TYPED LETTER SIGNED (TLS) on the Rumor that a "Colored Boy" Wrote His Songs

TYPED LETTER SIGNED (TLS) on the Rumor that a "Colored Boy" Wrote His Songs

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TYPED LETTER SIGNED (TLS) on the Rumor that a "Colored Boy" Wrote His Songs

by BERLIN, Irving

  • Used
  • Signed
  • first
Condition
Faint folds from mailing. Near Fine
Seller
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, United States
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About This Item

14 June 1948. Letter. Faint folds from mailing. Near Fine. On a sheet of his personal stationery (7" x 10") addressed to Michael de Lisio of MGM Pictures, Berlin answers an inquiry about a rumor, prevalent since the 1920s, that his songs had been written for him by an anonymous black boy. In full: "The little colored boy story that MacLane talks about is probably the Harry Ruby one. Some years ago, I walked into the Friar's Club with a three months Palm Beach tan and Harry Ruby, who was in the club, pointed to me and said 'there's the little colored fellow who writes all of Berlin's stuff.' Another Ruby crack about the colored fellow was -- Sometime ago, a songwriter asked Ruby how old the little colored boy was and Harry replied 'oh, about Irving's age.'" SIGNED by the composer "Irving Berlin." With a short typed statement by the recipient of the letter stating that he was working at the time for MGM in charge of publicity for EASTER PARADE. Superb letter.

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Details

Seller
Charles Agvent US (US)
Seller's Inventory #
021565
Title
TYPED LETTER SIGNED (TLS) on the Rumor that a "Colored Boy" Wrote His Songs
Author
BERLIN, Irving
Format/Binding
Letter
Book Condition
Used - Faint folds from mailing. Near Fine
Quantity Available
1
Date Published
14 June 1948
Keywords
Signed, Irving Berlin, Popular Music, Show Music

Terms of Sale

Charles Agvent

All books subject to prior sale. Payment with order; institutions may be billed. Postage additional: $11.00 for the first book, $6.00 each thereafter. Overseas postage billed at approximate cost. Pennsylvania residents must add 6% sales tax. Mastercard, Visa, and American Express accepted. We are also open to reasonable payment terms. A book may be returned within 7 days of receipt for any reason provided it is in the same condition as sent and prior notice is given. Please insure returns for their full value.

About the Seller

Charles Agvent

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Biblio member since 2003
Fleetwood, Pennsylvania

About Charles Agvent

We carry a diverse and select stock with major specialties including Modern and 19th Century Literary First Editions, Signed Books & Autographs (especially Presidential and Literary), and Limited Editions Club books. We have been in business since 1987 and are proud to be members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America (ABAA) and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB).

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Fine
A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...

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