Signed Songwriters Contract

1949. unbound. Exceedingly rare signed music publishing contract from the vaults of Hometown - Village Music, 4 pages, 32.5 inches (when unfolded fully) x 8.5 inches, February 21, 1949, whereby Spencer Williams and Charles Reade agree to publish their music with Sidney Prosen and agree to divide all proceeds at the rate of 1/3 share (each). Boldly signed by all parties including Spencer who has used his address as 115 - 11 173rd street St Albans, New York - which was Louie Armstrong's house! Note: Spencer died in 1965, and there is virtually nothing of his on the market. The Schomberg Library, arguably the largest repository of Black historical material (truncated) in the United States, possesses not a single signed item. Without a doubt, Spencer is much rarer than Charlie Parker and Bix Beiderbecke. Near fine condition. African-American jazz and popular music composer, pianist and singer best known for his songs "Basin Street Blues," "I Ain't Got Nobody," "She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain," and many more. He also collaborated on songs with W.C. Handy, Fats Waller, and Josephine Baker (when both were in exile). Williams was one of the earliest African-Americans to be inducted in the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970. (Inventory #: 260235)