Wilbur De Paris Plays Something Old, New, Gay, Blue
Vinyl record LP with autographed cardboard sleeve • Wilbur De Paris and his New Orleans Jazz Band (Atlantic Records)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern Graphic Design / New Orleans Revival Jazz
Medium & Technique
Offset lithography on cardstock (cover), pressed black vinyl (disc), and multiple ink signatures from band members
Creation Period
1959
Dimensions & Format
12.375 x 12.375 inches (Standard LP format)
Subject Description
The cover features a high-key photograph of Wilbur De Paris and his septet, including brother Sidney De Paris and Omer Simeon. The band is seated with their instruments (trombone, trumpet, banjo, bass, drums, clarinet). The design utilizes a color-coded title font and the classic Atlantic Records fan logo. Notable for its hand-signed inscriptions across the front image including Wilbur De Paris, Sidney De Paris, and Doc Cheatham.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; visible wear to the sleeve edges and aging on the cardstock
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired at a live performance or through promotional channels during the late 1950s/early 1960s; direct band signatures indicate personal provenance.
Art Historical Significance
A significant artifact of the mid-century Dixieland revival. This specific pressing (Atlantic 1300) represents a peak in the recording quality of the era. The presence of the full band's signatures, particularly members who are now jazz legends, elevates this from a common collectible to a historical document of the New York jazz scene of the period.
Notable Features
Hand-signed by the full band: Wilbur De Paris, Sidney De Paris, Doc Cheatham, Omer Simeon, Wilbert Kirk, Harper Goff, and Sonny White. Includes the original Atlantic High Fidelity labels.
Condition Issues
Yellowing and staining on the white margins of the cover, edge wear (shelf wear) at the top and right side, likely surface scratches on the vinyl disc consistent with age, and minor ink fading on certain signatures.
Conservation Recommendations
Place the signed cover in a 4-mil Mylar archival sleeve to prevent further skin oils and environment from degrading the ink. Store vertically in a cool, dry place. Original vinyl should be cleaned with a carbon fiber brush and stored in a poly-lined inner sleeve.
Collector Notes
LP record and all band signed cover