Pearl Bailey Archive

Pearl Bailey

Archive

[African American] [Music] [Film] Golden Age of Hollywood entertainer, Pearl Bailey Archive of 8 item includes 6 silver gelatin press release photographs, 1 vintage color press photograph, and a playbill from Hello, Dolly! Items dates 1969-1990. Photos measure mostly 7" x 9", and playbill measures 6" x 9". Bailey began her career singing and performing through the 1940s for veterans and small jazz clubs alongside Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington. She began starring in Broadway musicals only a few years later before starring in the hit Hello, Dolly! The star studded play transcended the racial barriers of the era, as multiracial crowds swarmed to see Bailey and Calloway's Broadway performance in action. Even so it had a remarkable all-Black cast of whom released their own album--a rarity for a revival.. It was met with rave reviews and earned her a Special Tony Award in 1968. She spent many years acting and performing, one photograph shows her in a still from Porgy and Bess alongside co-star Sammy Davis Jr. In her later years, Bailey wrote several books with her last book detailing her experience in higher education. In 1975 she was appointed special ambassador to the United Nations by President Gerald Ford. She enrolled in Georgetown University and at age 67 graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theology in which we see two photographs, one in black and white, the other in color, of Bailey at the graduation podium relaying a speech in her graduation robe and cap. Another photo shows Bailey as a senior advisor teaching young children at the UNICEF headquarters. In 1988 Bailey received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan. One 1970 photograph shows Bailey hosting her own television series The Pearl Bailey Show, in which she hosted guest star Louis Armstrong, the article attached announces her death in 1990. A widespread press chronicling of Pearl Bailey's life through photographs and articles. Photographs are clear and crisp, overall very good condition.

Item #20119

Price: $285.00