Charlie Parker`s 1950 union membership card for the Associated Musicians of Greater New York - photo 1
Charlie Parker`s 1950 union membership card for the Associated Musicians of Greater New York - photo 2

Charlie Parker`s 1950 union membership card for the Associated Musicians of Greater New York

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£ 10 080
Auction dateClassic
28.09.2023 13:00UTC +01:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
United Kingdom, London
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ID 1016523
Lot 179 | Charlie Parker's 1950 union membership card for the Associated Musicians of Greater New York
Charlie Parker's 1950 union membership card for the Associated Musicians of Greater New York

Charles “Charlie,” Jr. Parker

PARKER, Charles “Charlie,” Jr. (1920-1955).



Charlie Parker's 1950 union membership card for the Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802, American Federation of Musicians, with Parker’s details typewritten recto 'CHARLES J [sic] PARKER JR P-1977', the verso with four payment stamps for dues of $4.00 per quarter, dated 26 January 1950.



The diminutive size and flimsy, ephemeral nature of the present union membership card, belies the considerable grief that the union membership caused its holder. The possession of such membership cards were vital to the professional survival of any practicing musician in America and were to be carried at all times, although as the series of correspondence in lot 181 will show, Parker failed to carry and produce his card on numerous occasions. Although at the peak of his success, there was a marked decline in Parker's mental state through the early 1950s as his life and addictions spiralled out of control. During this period, Parker found himself in an endless feud with the authorities that directly controlled access to the clubs and bars that sustained his livelihood and sustained his creativity, and in particular with musician's union The American Federation of Musicians. A protracted dispute with the Los Angeles branch over unpaid dues, which first surfaced in 1950, would eventually lead to a $350 fine and Parker's dismissal from both LA Local 787 and New York Local 802. (See lot 181.)



Printed in red and black on pale green medium card stock, 60 x 100 cm; framed (219 x 254 mm). Provenance: The Norman R. Saks Collection (Vail, pl.69).



[With:] WATTS, Charlie (1941-2021). Ode to a Highflying Bird. London: Beat Publications Ltd, [1965]. First edition, first impression. Small octavo. Illustrations in colour throughout by the author. Price label of ‘Seven Shillings’ tipped to front free endpaper. Original white boards, titles to covers in black, portrait of the author to rear cover. (See note, lot 171.)

Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
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SW1Y 6QT London
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28.09.2023 – 28.09.2023
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