Handsome signed doubleweight Bloom of Chicago portrait photograph of a young Ellington, shown seated at a counter in a cream-colored suit.  The great composer and bandleader has inscribed "To Dick / Best wishes always / Duke Ellington" in blue with a fountain pen.  Mills Artist Bureau stamp to verso.  Light wear to edges, overall in fine condition.  10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.).