Gordon Parks' "Leadbelly" Lobby Card Archive, 1976

Gordon Parks Leadbelly

Archive

[African American][Film and Entertainment] Archive of three lobby cards for Leadbelly (1976). Archive of Three original color lobby cards on glossy cardstock issued by Paramount Pictures. Leadbelly (1976) is a biographical drama directed by Gordon Parks chronicling the tumultuous life of African American folk and blues legend Huddie Ledbetter, known as Lead Belly. The film follows his journey from the Jim Crow South through chain gangs and prison cells to eventual recognition for his musical talent. Starring Roger E. Mosley in a career-defining performance, Leadbelly explores themes of racial violence, resistance, incarceration, and Black artistic legacy. The first card shows Mosley shirtless against a stark blue sky, his gaze cast downward. The second features a moment of communal solace and creativity, with Mosley playing guitar among fellow Black prisoners clad in striped uniforms. The third image depicts Mosley and a woman in a vivid red headscarf seated under a tree, with a guitar nestled between them. The cards collectively present a nuanced visual narrative of a Black artist negotiating dignity in the face of systemic oppression. Slight surface handling and mild edge wear, with strong color fidelity and no major creases or blemishes. Overall very good condition. A powerful archive from one of the most significant biopics directed by an African American filmmaker in the 1970s, underscoring the political and cultural resonance of Lead Belly’s story.

Item #22202

Price: $220.00