[COMPOSERS.] FDCS. 1p. Oblong 12mo. Memphis, May 17, 1969. A first day cover bearing a commemorative stamp of American composer and musician W.C. Handy (1873‑1958), creator of the immortal Saint Louis Blues, with a first day of issue cancellation from Memphis, signed by five 20th century American composers.
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W.C. Handy
RODGERS, RICHARD. (1902-1979; “Richard Rodgers”). Composer who, together with Lorenz Hart, and later, Oscar Hammerstein II, wrote innumerable popular songs that have become classics, including the scores of Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, The Sound of Music, and many others;
CARMICHAEL, HOAGY. (1899-1981; “Hoagy Carmichael”). Composer and musician remembered for his standards Georgia on my Mind, Rockin’ Chair and probably the most recorded song of the 20th century, Stardust;
LOEWE, FREDERICK. (1904-1988; “Frederick Loewe”). German-born, American composer who, together with lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, achieved success with Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, Camelot, the film Gigi, and, in 1958, the incredibly successful My Fair Lady;
LERNER, ALAN JAY. (1918-1986; “Alan Jay Lerner”). Lyricist known for his collaboration with Loewe but who also collaborated with Kurt Weill, Burton Lane, André Previn, John Barry, and Leonard Bernstein;
BERNSTEIN, LEONARD. (1918-1990; “Leonard Bernstein”). American composer, conductor, teacher, and pianist known for his leadership of the New York Philharmonic and his works West Side Story, the oratorio Kaddish and music for the film On the Waterfront.
A very faint paper-clip mark in the center of the upper margin does not affect any signatures; otherwise extremely fine. Unusual.
