Jazz singer famous for her highly individual style; she died of a heroin overdose in 1959. DS, signed with her real name, “Elenora Fagan,” three pages, 8.5 x 11, February 11, 1957. Holiday’s copyrighted agreement to sell all motion picture and radio rights to her biography, Lady Sings The Blues. Agreement is between Holiday, her biographer William Dufty and producer Lester Cowan. Contract was intended for Cowan’s proposed motion picture on the turbulent and troubled life of Holiday. Document is a brief synopsis of a much longer contract negotiated between Holiday and the film’s producer, and is intended for purposes of transferring the copyright title of the biography to Cowan. Third page of the agreement bears Holiday’s proper signature “Eleanora Fagan,” with an official Library of Congress Copyright Office record of assignment certificate, dated March 20, 1957, over the notarized portion of the page. Cowan’s film hopes came to fruition, first with the release of Lady Sings The Blues in 1956 and the immensely popular 1972 film version starring Diana Ross. In fine condition, still stapled to its original light blue folder, bisecting horizontal fold and a few minor creases and wrinkles. R&R COA.
