Wilbur De Paris Plays Something Old, New, Gay, Blue
Original 12-inch Long Play (LP) Vinyl Record with Autographed Album Cover Sleeve • Wilbur De Paris and His New Orleans Jazz Band; cover photography likely by a staff photographer for Atlantic Records
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern Graphic Design / New Orleans Jazz (Dixieland Revival)
Medium & Technique
Mechanical vinyl pressing and offset lithographic print on cardboard; signatures in blue and black ink/ballpoint
Creation Period
circa 1959 (Album release date)
Dimensions & Format
12.375 x 12.375 inches; Square format
Subject Description
Group portrait of the jazz ensemble featuring Wilbur De Paris (trombone), Sidney De Paris (trumpet), Doc Cheatham (trumpet), Omer Simeon (clarinet), Sonny White (piano), Hayes Alvis (bass), and Wilbert Kirk (drums). The composition is a formal studio arrangement with musicians holding their instruments. The sleeve contains handwritten signatures and a personal dedication from Wilbur De Paris.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; The jacket shows significant edge wear, yellowing, and minor corner crushing. The vinyl appears playable but shows surface dust.
Estimated Market Value
$100 - $250 USD (Value heavily influenced by the presence of multiple authentic signatures)
Auction Estimate
$75 - $150 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired at a performance or through personal contact with the band members, indicated by the inscribed signatures. Estimated personal collection origin.
Art Historical Significance
A significant document of the New Orleans Jazz revival in the late 1950s. The signatures of prominent figures like Doc Cheatham and Wilbur De Paris add substantial historical weight for jazz ephemera collectors.
Notable Features
Includes a rare full-band set of autographs including a specific 'Best wishes' inscription from Wilbur De Paris; Atlantic Records 'Atlantic 1300' catalog number; original monochrome label.
Condition Issues
Yellowing of the white cardstock, ring wear on the front cover, frayed spine, and blunted corners. Surface scratches may be present on the vinyl media.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a polyethylene outer sleeve and an archival inner sleeve; keep in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight to prevent further yellowing and ink fading.