[EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY - MUSIC]. WILLIAMS, Ted (1925-2009), photographer. Sarah Vaughn, Backstage / Chicago theater 1949 (printed later).

9 1/4 x 7 1/4 in. silver gelatin photograph affixed with tape on verso to 14 x 11 in. mat (print in excellent condition). Lower margin of mount titled and signed by Ted Williams. A later printing of a portrait taken during Sarah Vaughn's first national tour as a solo artist. She is shown spraying perfume at her dressing table. Williams was well known in the jazz scene and his portraits are highly-regarded for their ability to capture the musicians while playing. In an excerpt from Jazz: The Iconic Images of Ted Williams, the photographer says the following about the image offered here: "I was a student at The Institute of Design at the time, and called Sarah directly at her hotel (possible in those days) and received permission to photograph her in her dressing room for the next issue of a non-existent college newspaper. Dave Garroway (the first Today show host) was a well-known Chicago disc jockey then and 'Sassy's' biggest and most vocal fan. When she came onstage, David preceded her scattering rose petals for her to walk on. This got a lot of press locally and did not resonate too well with a few bigots that took notice. About mid-week, a group sat in the front row and waited for Sarah to start singing, and proceeded to throw tomatoes at her. This photo was taken a few days before that notorious incident."
This lot is located in Cincinnati.

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