Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars 1950's "Tonite" Fair Poster. ...

Description

JAZZ

Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars 1950's "Tonite" Fair Poster. An original cardboard window card advertising the great Satchmo, Louis Armstrong, plus the Dave Brubeck Quartet and Luis Arcaraz playing at a fair somewhere in America in the 1950's. It's not often a poster is printed to be used for just one day. In this case, the color portion was a "tour blank" standing by waiting to be used, probably over several years. So it would've been easy for the fair organizers to simply call up Woolever Press in Los Angeles (credited at the bottom) and say, "Knock out 50 for me pronto so that I can put 'em up the day of the show."

It's also possible that Armstrong played at this particular fair every night for several days in a row, so in that case the poster would have been useful for the entire stretch. Of course, they sure better have pulled all the posters down after he walked off stage the final night. Measures 14" x 22" and grades to Very Good condition. COA from Heritage Auctions.

More Information: This remains the only specimen of this poster that Heritage has ever seen. This exact poster was sold by us back in November 2022, and that buyer has decided to consign much of his collection to Heritage here in spring 2024.

It's interesting to note that this was a Satchmo-only concert tour-blank poster; notice how the two additional musicians, Brubeck and Arcaraz, were printed into the venue box to the left of "8 P.M.". They aren't part of the permanent color artwork, only Louis is.

Condition details: The board once had its lower right corner tip ripped away, which has been lovingly restored by Chameleon Restoration. The board's other three corners are soft and rounded, there's a slight harmless surface dent in the "o" of "Louis," and the poster has general toning throughout.


Heritage Auctions provides as much information as possible but strongly encourages in-person inspection. Condition statements are offered as general guidance only, not as complete representations of fact, and do not constitute a warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted but may be visible in the photos, which are considered part of the condition report. Lots estimated at $1,000 or less are not de-framed for inspection, and we may be unable to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and is not liable for damage to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or artwork that has shifted in the frame. All lots are sold "AS IS" under our Terms & Conditions of Auction.