The Cotton Club - 1939 Programme Inscribed and Signed by Louis Armstrong and Maxine Sullivan

The World's Fair Edition of a Cotton Club programme (New York, 1939), inscribed and signed by both Louis Armstrong and Maxine Sullivan. The inscription reads: "Best Wishes to [recipient] and Marie from Louis Armstrong, Maxine Sullivan", with an additional word between the signatures (possibly "Me too") in Sullivan's hand.

Louis Armstrong (1901-1971), known as Satchmo, was one of the most influential figures in jazz history, celebrated for his virtuosic trumpet playing and distinctive voice. Maxine Sullivan (1911-1987) was an American jazz vocalist best known for her 1937 recording of Loch Lomond, and a frequent collaborator with Armstrong. The Cotton Club was New York's legendary jazz venue; by 1939 it had relocated from Harlem to Midtown Manhattan.

The programme is approximately 9" x 12", unpaginated, stapled wrappers, 8 leaves (16 pages), fully illustrated with black and white photographs and line drawings.

Loosely inserted: a secondary programme or flyer for the Sixth Edition Cotton Club Parade featuring Louis Armstrong and Maxine Sullivan, a simple folded sheet (9" x 12" unfolded) with cast list and set-list, in clean condition with some uneven trimming at the fore-edge and a small torn flap (not affecting text or illustrations).

Condition: Programme, Good (small tear at bottom corner of front wrapper; some creasing and rubbing to cover edges; contents excellent and clean). Flyer, Good.