From the Duke Ellington Collection, assorted documents pertaining to the Duke Ellington composition, "Sophisticated Lady." Lot includes certificate of copyright renewal, several correspondences addressed to Duke from the American Guild of Authors and Composers regarding the copyright status, original published sheet music booklet for the composition, and an invitation from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the 1989 premiere of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies. Described as "the first America-Soviet co-production of a Broadway Musical," it is proof of Ellington's enduring legacy and relevance as a figure of cross-cultural diplomatic relations long after his death.

The copyright renewal is wrinkled from water damage and has slight discoloration on the upper right corner. Sheet music has pigment loss on cover. The cover has a horizontal crease at the center of the page and the seam is split 10" from the bottom. Mold is present on the upper right corners of the inside pages. There are small tears at the bottom and sides throughout. Correspondences from the American Guild dated Oct. 11, 1967 are wrinkled and have some mold. Correspondence dated Aug. 31, 1960 has rust from a staple, soft horizontal folds and some wrinkles. Correspondence dated Mar. 31, 1960 has some wrinkles. Correspondence dated Mar. 22, 1961 has a staple with rust, wrinkles from moisture damage, ink bleeding and mold on verso. Correspondence dated Jan. 31, 1964 has staple rust, slight paper loss along the upper right corner and wrinkles from moisture damage. Correspondence dated Mar. 31, 1964 has staple rust and wrinkles from moisture damage. Correspondence dated May 15, 1964 has a rusty staple, wrinkles and ink bleeding from water damage. Correspondence dated April 1, 1964 has a rusty staple, wrinkles, ink bleeding and mold from moisture damage. Correspondence dated July 31, 1967 has staple rust, wrinkling and soil marks from moisture damage. Correspondence dated Feb. 26, 1971 has wrinkling from moisture damage. Correspondence dated June 1, 1971 has soft wrinkles and some soiling on the upper page. Correspondence dated May 1, 1971 has soil damage and wrinkling on the upper right corner of the last page. Correspondence dated September 5, 1972 has its pages adhered together and wrinkled from moisture damage. Correspondence dated Aug. 2, 1972 has creasing and some soiling at the top.