Belafonte, Harry. (1927 - 2023)
The Belafonte Story - Signed 1957 picture-book
The Belafonte Story: The Words, the Music, the Man, An Almanac Picture Book, vol. 2, ed. Josi Gameaux (New York: Almanac Publications, Inc., April 1957). 68 p. including covers, 8.5 × 10.75 inches (22 × 27 cm). Three gatherings, pp. 3–66, browned with slightly darker edges, with text and ubiquitous black-and-white photography, engravings, and line drawings; bound with two metal staples, wrapped in glossy color paper cover, back attached to spine by glue; front cover detached with chipped left and right edges, else fine.Replete with references to 30-year-old Belafonte as "the kid" and "the reluctant king of calypso," this 68 p. biography, published immediately after his breakthrough album Calypso, is divided into four sections—The Magic, The Words, The Musical Career, The Man—and copiously decorated with over 100 photographs and illustrations. Front cover, glossy paper, signed in blue ink by Belafonte over color lithograph portrait seated at seaside.
Text of ten calypso songs included, pp. 16–25:
p. 16. John B. Sail
p. 18. Brown Skin Girl
p. 18. Bahama Mama
p. 19. Pretty Boy
p. 20. Hold 'Em Joe
p. 21. Mary Ann
p. 22. Matilda
p. 23. Delia Gone
p. 24. Man Smart (Woman Smarter)
p. 25. Jump in the Line
Jamaican American singer, film actor, Emmy winer, and civil rights and humanitarian activist, known especially for the calypso hit, "The Banana Boat Song," Belafonte began his career singing pop, folk, and jazz in Harlem and Greenwich Village and later in Las Vegas. (18342)
Jazz Signed Photograph