J. P. "BIG BOPPER" RICHARDSON - AUTOGRAPH MUSICAL MANUSCRIPT SIGNED

SIGNED, HANDWRITTEN COPY OF "CHANTILLY LACE" RECOVERED FROM THE BIG BOPPER'S SUITCASE ON THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED J.P. RICHARDSON "THE BIG BOPPER" Autograph Musical Manuscript signed: "Big Bopper", 9½x12½ lined music paper. The second trumpet part for "Chantilly Lace", written in signer's hand in black ink. A "flat" sign has been added in blue ink to the key signature. Accompanied by photocopy of a handwritten letter from Richardson's son, J. P. Richardson, Jr., which reads in part: "These three pieces (Chantilly Lace, Big Boppers Wedding, Little Red Riding Hood), were recovered from my fathers' briefcase which survived the plane crash of Feb. 3, 1959." [The other two pieces mentioned are not included with the sale of this item.] Jiles Perry Richardson (1930-1959) was a Texas disc jockey who called himself "The Big Bopper" after the latest dance craze, the bop. His song, "Chantilly Lace", which he wrote and sang, reached the "Top Ten" in 1958. In January 1959, The Big Bopper was booked on the Winter Dance Party tour that would cover most of the Midwest. The tour included such headliners as Buddy Holly, Dion and the Belmonts, Waylon Jennings and Ritchie Valens. As the bus pulled into Clear Lake, Iowa for their February 2nd performance, Holly made arrangements to charter a plane to fly him and two of his band members to the next gig in Fargo, North Dakota. The Big Bopper and Valens had bad colds and Richardson wanted to fly to Fargo so that he would have time to see a doctor. He asked Waylon Jennings if he would give up his seat and Jennings agreed. Valens asked backup musician and former Cricket Tommy Allsup for his seat, and the two decided to flip a coin to see who would take the plane (Valens called "heads" and won the toss). Allsup later opened a club named The Head's Up Saloon, a tribute to the coin toss that saved his life.


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J. P. "BIG BOPPER" RICHARDSON - AUTOGRAPH MUSICAL MANUSCRIPT SIGNED

GEORGE "SUPERMAN" REEVES - EPHEMERA UNSIGNED WITH EMILE LA VIGNE

GEORGE REEVES and EMILE La VIGNE The famed make-up artist crafts a cast of TV's first Superman Rubber cast of a life mask of Reeves, crafted by make-up and effects artist Emile LaVigne. Reeves has not signed the mask, but the wood backing is signed: "LaVigne" in black felt tip. Best known for playing the "Man of Steel" on film and on television, GEORGE REEVES (1914-1959), born George Bessolo, made his film debut in 1939. That year, Reeves played Stuart Tarleton, one of the Scarlett O'Hara's hopeful beaus, in David O. Selznick's Civil War epic, Gone With the Wind. Making an excellent impression in that role, Reeves was cast in 17 films in 1940, including Knute Rockne, All American, Virginia City, The Fighting 69th, 'Til We Meet Again, Pony Express Days and Meet the Fleet. His career took a fateful turn when he was cast as Superman/Clark Kent in 1951's Superman and the Mole Men, a role he reprised in the 1953-1957 television series. On June 16, 1959, Reeves died from a gunshot wound. Mystery still surrounds his death. EMILE LaVIGNE (1913-1990) was one of Hollywood's most important make-up men. He made up Jack Haley as the Tin Woodman in The Wizard of Oz (1939). Among his many make-up assignments were Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), Some Like It Hot (1959), The Magnificent Seven (1960) and West Side Story (1961). This item is from LaVigne's estate. Minor surface scratches and discoloration to mask. LaVigne's signature on verso is slightly smudged. Otherwise, fine condition. For more information contact HistoryForSale. DOCUMENT 274949.

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GEORGE "SUPERMAN" REEVES - EPHEMERA UNSIGNED WITH EMILE LA VIGNE