Three autograph notes from Charlie Parker to his common-law wife Chan Parker, early 1950s - photo 1
Three autograph notes from Charlie Parker to his common-law wife Chan Parker, early 1950s - photo 2
Three autograph notes from Charlie Parker to his common-law wife Chan Parker, early 1950s - photo 3
Three autograph notes from Charlie Parker to his common-law wife Chan Parker, early 1950s - photo 4

Three autograph notes from Charlie Parker to his common-law wife Chan Parker, early 1950s

Sold
£ 6 048
Auction dateClassic
28.09.2023 13:00UTC +01:00
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
United Kingdom, London
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Archive
ID 1016495
Lot 182 | Three autograph notes from Charlie Parker to his common-law wife Chan Parker, early 1950s
Three autograph notes from Charlie Parker to his common-law wife Chan Parker, early 1950s

Charles “Charlie,” Jr. Parker

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



Three autograph notes from Charlie Parker to his common-law wife Chan Parker, early 1950s: the first in black ink on a presentation card 'To my Darling: To my Beloved, reward for braveing [sic] any and all miseries, I adore you', signed 'Bird', with original envelope addressed 'To The Summation of Beauty'; the second a playful rhyme in pencil 'CAKE IN OVEN, Make ‘Em Lovin'; and the third in blue ballpoint pen 'going to B.J.s to get you (I hoape [sic])', signed '‘love’ “Bhurd!”'



Although Parker considered Chan to be his wife, they were not legally married. Chan and Bird first met in 1944 and lived as husband and wife from 1950 until his death. Parker apparently had a habit of leaving such romantic notes around the house for Chan.



The presentation card 51 x 89 mm; 'Cake' one page of notepaper 94 x 118 mm; 'Bhurd!' one page from a notepad 126 x 76 mm; with envelope. Provenance: The Chan Parker Collection, Christie’s London, 8 September 1994, lot 19 (part). Literature: Parker and Paudras, 230 and 266 (illustrated).



[With:] PARKER, Chan (1925-1999) and Francis PAUDRAS (1935-1997). to Bird with love. Poitiers: Editions Wizlov, 1981. First edition. Folio. Original maroon textured boards, housed in the original laminated box.

Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
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28.09.2023 – 28.09.2023
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