The smooth croon of Billie Holiday (1915-1959) was every bit as interesting as it was legendary. Her sudden death in 1959 places her autograph among the hobby’s most desired, and presented here is one such treasure. Published in 1956 by Doubleday & Company of New York, this first edition, first printing copy of Lady Sings the Blues is signed on the flyleaf with the same cool flair one would expect of the brilliant singer. Holiday penned “For Don & Dorothy, Stay as fine as you are, Billie Holiday” in blue ballpoint, and the artist’s carefully scripted writing is bold and emphatic. The hardcover, 5.75 x 8.5 publication exhibits light toning at the covers, and a few areas of soiling mildly affect the interior; otherwise fine condition. Signed copies of Holiday’s memoirs are difficult to find, and this first edition example carries Lady Day’s impressively bold autograph. RRAuction COA.
