Baker, Josephine. (1906–1975). Signed 1927 Topless Photograph "To the King of the 'Black Bottom'". A thrilling doubleweight Walery of Paris portrait of Baker posing topless in an elaborate costume in "Paris En Folie," signed and inscribed in English at only 21-years-old in fountain pen, “To King of the 'Black Bottom' / 'To Charming Monsieur Marly ' / Sincerely Josephine Baker / August 22/27 / Paris" and again on the verso "He is vey-rey Good in his Dancing / O.K. Mr Marly / Josephine Baker." With significant creases and tears, recently professionally restored and highly presentable, the verso inscription somewhat less so, but overall quite good despite the evident restorations.
"'Un Vent De Folie' opened in April 1927. Josephine's costumes were even more elaborate than they were the year before....For the finale, 'Paris En Folie', Josephine wore an extraordinary costume vaguely reminiscent of a harlequin - delicately patterned spangled tights decorated with pom-poms, red gloves with little balls on the fingertips, a sort of feather duster swinging from each hip and a larger one sticking straight up from a small conical cap on her head. Audiences found it sensational." (Ean Wood, "The Josephine Baker Story," p. 125)
The "Black Bottom" dance became popular in the 1920s and could be danced solo or as a couple. Originating in New Orleans, it ended up overtaking the popularity of the Charleston, eventually becoming the number one social dance.
Baker was most noted as a singer, while in her early career she was a celebrated dancer. She was given the nicknames the "Black Venus" or the "Black Pearl", as well as the "Créole Goddess" in anglophone nations, while in France she has always been known in the old theatrical tradition as "La Baker."
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"'Un Vent De Folie' opened in April 1927. Josephine's costumes were even more elaborate than they were the year before....For the finale, 'Paris En Folie', Josephine wore an extraordinary costume vaguely reminiscent of a harlequin - delicately patterned spangled tights decorated with pom-poms, red gloves with little balls on the fingertips, a sort of feather duster swinging from each hip and a larger one sticking straight up from a small conical cap on her head. Audiences found it sensational." (Ean Wood, "The Josephine Baker Story," p. 125)
The "Black Bottom" dance became popular in the 1920s and could be danced solo or as a couple. Originating in New Orleans, it ended up overtaking the popularity of the Charleston, eventually becoming the number one social dance.
Baker was most noted as a singer, while in her early career she was a celebrated dancer. She was given the nicknames the "Black Venus" or the "Black Pearl", as well as the "Créole Goddess" in anglophone nations, while in France she has always been known in the old theatrical tradition as "La Baker."
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Baker, Josephine. (1906–1975). Signed 1927 Topless Photograph "To the King of the 'Black Bottom'". A thrilling doubleweight Walery of Paris portrait of Baker posing topless in an elaborate costume in "Paris En Folie," signed and inscribed in English at only 21-years-old in fountain pen, “To King of the 'Black Bottom' / 'To Charming Monsieur Marly ' / Sincerely Josephine Baker / August 22/27 / Paris" and again on the verso "He is vey-rey Good in his Dancing / O.K. Mr Marly / Josephine Baker." With significant creases and tears, recently professionally restored and highly presentable, the verso inscription somewhat less so, but overall quite good despite the evident restorations.
"'Un Vent De Folie' opened in April 1927. Josephine's costumes were even more elaborate than they were the year before....For the finale, 'Paris En Folie', Josephine wore an extraordinary costume vaguely reminiscent of a harlequin - delicately patterned spangled tights decorated with pom-poms, red gloves with little balls on the fingertips, a sort of feather duster swinging from each hip and a larger one sticking straight up from a small conical cap on her head. Audiences found it sensational." (Ean Wood, "The Josephine Baker Story," p. 125)
The "Black Bottom" dance became popular in the 1920s and could be danced solo or as a couple. Originating in New Orleans, it ended up overtaking the popularity of the Charleston, eventually becoming the number one social dance.
Baker was most noted as a singer, while in her early career she was a celebrated dancer. She was given the nicknames the "Black Venus" or the "Black Pearl", as well as the "Créole Goddess" in anglophone nations, while in France she has always been known in the old theatrical tradition as "La Baker."
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"'Un Vent De Folie' opened in April 1927. Josephine's costumes were even more elaborate than they were the year before....For the finale, 'Paris En Folie', Josephine wore an extraordinary costume vaguely reminiscent of a harlequin - delicately patterned spangled tights decorated with pom-poms, red gloves with little balls on the fingertips, a sort of feather duster swinging from each hip and a larger one sticking straight up from a small conical cap on her head. Audiences found it sensational." (Ean Wood, "The Josephine Baker Story," p. 125)
The "Black Bottom" dance became popular in the 1920s and could be danced solo or as a couple. Originating in New Orleans, it ended up overtaking the popularity of the Charleston, eventually becoming the number one social dance.
Baker was most noted as a singer, while in her early career she was a celebrated dancer. She was given the nicknames the "Black Venus" or the "Black Pearl", as well as the "Créole Goddess" in anglophone nations, while in France she has always been known in the old theatrical tradition as "La Baker."
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