Souvenir Program Of Recital Presenting William Christopher Handy and Son Wyer Owen Handy by Union Memorial M.E. Church

St. Louis, Mo. 1938. Quarto, 12 x 9", beige stapled wrappers lettered in black, 8 pp, photographic portrait illustrations. Program for a talk and recital given by influential blues musician W.C. Handy and his son at an African American church in St. Louis. A newspaper clipping affixed to the last page states that Handy spoke about and performed African American spiritual music, and lamented its disappearance. Includes portraits of local musicians and music teachers, a message of appreciation for Handy, a biography of Handy, a program of events, and ads for local businesses. The program concludes with a one page "author's note" written by Handy himself, discussing the influence that African American spiritual music had on him: "they form an integral part of my life, so that as I look back into the past I can see how completely I have become a part of them, and they a part of me." Not found in OCLC. Text block detached from wrappers, staining to front wrapper, slight toning and soiling. Item #11542

Price: $500.00