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An original (not modern reprint) 6.5x9" vintage photo from a large collection of autographed photos from early big band and jazz personalities that we acquired from an estate collection.
We are confident in this autograph's authenticity and are happy to offer a warranty on your purchase price if this ever failed authentication.
Photo Overview
This original Music Corporation of America promotional photograph shows American jazz and dance band leader Charley Straight in formal tuxedo, posed in classic early 1930s studio style and personally inscribed in ink to a friend named Don. Issued out of MCA’s New York and Chicago offices to promote “Charley Straight and His Brunswick Recording Orchestra,” this large format publicity photo features Straight’s bold autograph and sentiment prominently on the left side of the image, making it an outstanding display piece for collectors of early big band and Brunswick Records memorabilia.
Charley Straight was a pioneering Chicago pianist, arranger and orchestra leader who recorded prolifically for Brunswick in the late 1920s and early 1930s, helping shape the hot dance band sound just as jazz was exploding in popularity. Original MCA promo photos of Straight are scarce compared with those of later Swing Era leaders, and inscribed examples in this size are especially hard to find, so secure this historic signed bandleader photo for your collection today before it disappears into another archive.
Text Present
Front lower right printed credit block:
MUSIC CORPORATION OF AMERICA
NEW YORK CHICAGO
PRESENTS
CHARLEY
STRAIGHT
AND HIS
BRUNSWICK RECORDING ORCHESTRA
Front left handwritten inscription (ink, on image):
To my dearest
“Don” –
Friendship is sweet
and yours is
one of my greatest
memories.
Sincerely
Charley
Straight
5/19/30
Back:
(no printed or handwritten text visible)
Print analysis:
Large glossy, single weight silver gelatin promotional print on period photo paper, with no modern barcodes or later copyright stamps. The dated 5/19/30 inscription is contemporary to Charley Straight’s Brunswick MCA period, and the overall tonality, aging and studio style match late 1920s–early 1930s bandleader publicity photos. This is best classified as an original Type 1 photograph, printed c1930 from the original negative and personally signed and inscribed by Straight.
Condition: Photo is in fair to good antique condition. Please see photos for full condition of this specific image. Many of the images in this collection have creases, age related wear, and wear around borders/corners, etc.
