2 INSCRIBED by Gertrude Abercrombie on Orlando Murden Albums/For Once in My Life
$
126
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Description
Two impossible-to-find 33-1/3 rpm records by Orlando Murden. Murden co-wrote For Once in My Life with Ron Miller for Motown Records’ Jobete Publishing Company – the most familiar version is by Stevie Wonder in 1968. There is virtually no information on Murden (whose song For Once in My Life has been recorded by well-over 300 artists and in countless movies), yet here are two recordings by ORLANDO! Possibly the most interesting facts surround the album cover art and the inscription by Gertrude Abercrombie (1909 – 1977) American illustrator, musician and painter associated with Chicago's Surrealist school. She was largely self-taught, however she studied figure drawing at the Art Institute of Chicago and commercial art at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. In 1934 the Chicago Society of Artists held a solo show of her work and she also began serving as a painter for the WPA, where she remained until 1940. In 1948, Abercrombie married music critic, con man and author, Frank Sandiford, with Dizzy Gillespie performing at the wedding. The couple was active in the jazz scene of Chicago hosting Saturday night and Sunday afternoon jam sessions where Abercrombie would join in with her improvisational piano. They separated in 1964, but remained in touch. Sandiford had been what he termed, a “second story man”, stealing jewelry and other valuables from mansions on Chicago’s North Shore. In prison, he met Nathan Leopold, the prison librarian, who encouraged him to write his book, The Next Time is For Life. It was published under his pen name, Paul Warren, and had an introduction by Earl Stanley Gardner.
The two recordings are by Super Star Records, Murden Music Publishing, Chicago -#1) Orlando! … For Once in My Life #82325 (on the cover SSR 369), Painting & Cover Design by Gertrude Abercrombie –on the back cover a quote from Abercrombie - “You have heard over one hundred recordings of Once in My Life. Here it is; sung and played by its composer. Ah, so tenderly”. #2) Orlando! Harp, Voice and Tears! #881M-3782 (Z5rs-3782) (on the cover SSR 963), still in its sleeve, appears in fine condition. Both covers have two inscriptions: Happiness Always, Sincerely, Orlando and Love to Hugh, Xmas 1970, Gertrude. Conditions: unfortunately there is 2-inch scratch on the side with For Once in My Life, otherwise they look to be in good condition. These records belonged to Hugh Cameron (uncle of the present owner) who was a close friend of Gertrude Abercrombie and a collector of her work. (2) Payment by PayPal. A second and final invoice will be generated by Kelmscott, where we will calculate the best postage rate and add the cost of insurance. Note: We make every effort to describe our offerings as thoroughly as possible, but please look closely at the images for the clearest picture of condition. We are happy to answer questions, but caution bidders that all items are sold "as is", unless they are clearly not as described.
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