Louis Armstrong–A Self-Portrait. By Louis Armstrong and Richard Meryman. First Trade Edition, First Printing. Eakins Press. New York, 1971.

Louis Armstrong was one of the most influential American musicians in history. His Jazz vocals and trumpet are iconic. His music career began humbly in the 1910s on riverboats. By the 1920s, he was recording innovative Jazz, becoming a premier figure in the music scene of the Harlem Renaissance. By the 1940s, he was a national figure, becoming one of the mainstream faces of Jazz music. He continued to record and perform for decades. He has been inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, and more. In this slim volume, readers are provided Armstrong’s story as told in his famous 1966 interview with Richard Meryman at Life Magazine. In it, Satchmo recounts his childhood in New Orleans, the Harlem Renaissance, and more. It was one of the most popular interviews in Life Magazine during the period. Few texts reveal more about Armstrong’s character and perspective than this self-portrait in an interview.

This first trade edition, first printing is in near-fine condition. In the original red wrappers with gilt stamping, near-fine with only minor rubbing. Text block near-fine, only pencil marks to flyleaf. This first trade edition is preceded only by the magazine publication and the limited first edition of 100 copies.

A near-fine first trade edition of Louis Armstrong–A Self-Portrait.