Circa 1948/49. A table-card from the Downbeat club in Market Street, San Francisco advertising a residency by Billie Holiday and Willie Smith, the saxaphonist, which has been inscribed and autographed by Lady Day and also signed by musicians Willie Smith and Jerome Richardson.
Smith later contributed to the album Lady Sings the Blues.
Unfolded, the card measures approximately 9.5 inches by 5.75 inches. With printed red lettering on a pale yellow background. The card is in overall Good or better condition, with some light spots and small finger-marks/stains. There is one tiny pin-hole to each of the two top corners.
The inscription/signatures are in ink and each are clear. Billie Holiday has written, "For Kell, Best always" and signed her name below. The signature is expansive and flowing.
Willie Smith's signature appears to have written with a different pen, the ink being much darker than the other two. A terrific item of 20th Century music memorabilia with excellent associations.
