Legendary singer (1915–1959), revered as one of the greatest and most individual vocalists in the history of blues and jazz, who died from cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 44. DS, one onionskin page, 8.5 x 11, June 8, 1956. Agreement between Holiday and Andrew D. Weinberger in which Holiday “irrevocably assign, transfer and set over to the said Andrew D. Weinberger ten (10%) percent of all royalties or other monies heretofore paid, now or hereafter payable to me, by reason of a certain contract between myself and William F. Dufty, as authors…I hereby irrevocably authorize and direct Doubleday & Company…to deliver all payments to which I may be entitled…by virtue of the above mention contract.” Nicely signed at the conclusion in blue ink by Holiday, and witnessed by her husband Louis McKay. In fine condition, with a light crease and staple hole to top left.
Accompanied by a one page TLS to Holiday and McKay from attorney Harry A. Lieb, dated December 27, 1955, regarding Holiday’s autobiography Lady Sings The Blues. The critical letter, reads in part: “It is extremely important that it be read and re-read carefully before publication to make certain that possible libelous statements be deleted. Incidentally, has Billie read the entire contents of the book herself?…I should like to give you my opinion of the book as presently written. I must preface my remarks by telling you that I have heard Billie sing on records and radio and her voice is just beautiful. There is so much of human suffering, sensitivity and music in her voice. The book, therefore, comes as a disappointment, as if in her autobiography she had written to put herself in the worst possible light. The first 50 pages are very good, but the rest is a series of gripes, with a few scandal items. It is bitter and even the cuss words get very tiresome when they are repeated over and over again. Now I cannot believe that that is all there is to Billie. Her story must surely be dramatic and touching and it should evoke sympathy, pity and understanding. This book, in my opinion, does not do this. It doesn’t give the reader the faintest inkling of what a drug addict feels or suffers, nor does it portray her as the great singer she is. It would seem that some of the wonderful notices she has received could be woven into the telling of the story. I feel that Billie doesn’t just want to show her tough outer shell or that is the way she wants the world to regard her. There is a great story in Billie and it would seem to me that Billie and Dufty should be able to produce it. The above is just my opinion. I may be all wrong, but take it for what its worth. I have only your best interest at heart.”
The contract referenced in this letter pertains to Holiday's autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues, which was ghostwritten by William Dufty, a newspaper editor, and published in 1956. Dufty wrote the book following a series of conversations with the singer, filling in gaps with information from earlier interviewers as well. Though Dufty wanted Holiday to tell her story in her own way, it’s worth noting that the book had to be heavily scrutinized for libelous material, with Dufty forced to fictionalize details about some family members and eliminate some Hollywood tales to avoid conflict. Concern over misinformation is mentioned in the accompanying letter from Lieb, who is emphatic that the manuscript “be read and re-read carefully before publication to make certain that possible libelous statements be deleted.” The autobiography was one of the singer’s last bits of fame. Three months before the signing of this contract, Holiday and McKay were both arrested in a hotel room on narcotics charges. As she lay dying in a hospital room in 1959, she was again charged with drug possession. A sad ending to a remarkable voice, this legal document represents her swan song. RRAuction COA.
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