American singer (1915-1959). Sepia publicity portrait signed. [New York. Sepia toned gelatin silver print. 223 x 187 mm (sheet: 253 x 205 mm). Portrait by Robin Carson for Associated Booking Corp., New York.
$ 9,656 / 8.500 €
(95441/BN62920)
Inscribed in black ink "For Rosamond | stay as fine as your | name | Billie Holiday". In her study of Lady Day, Julia Blackburn wrote of the session that produced this evocative portrait: "[Friend and publicist] Greer Johnson was also determined to get Billie photographed by the society photographer Robin Carson, who was in his opinion 'the best man in the business', someone who would be able to capture her serious qualities as an artist [...] And so, on a cold autumn afternoon they arrived at Carson's apartment [...] The hours went by, and everyone was laughing and joking and Billie was relaxed and beautiful.
Robin Carson was keen to do her justice and, although he had taken numerous pictures, he felt he hadn't got the image he was seeking [...] Billie had meanwhile changed into a black sequined dress and had a bunch of artificial gardenias pinned to the side of her head, and she was 'feeling absolutely marvellous'. Greer Johnson suggested that she go over by the fireplace and sing 'Strange Fruit'. At first she said she couldn't possibly - just like that, with no musical accompaniment - but then she agreed to do it. She sang a capella and Robin Carson's camera never stopped. Later she chose four prints, and Greer Johnson was able to have one for himself" (p. 161f.).