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Museum object · Documents and Manuscripts

Booking contract signed by Billie Holiday

April 30, 1954

Los Angeles, California, United States, North and Central America

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

An Associated Booking Corp. document signed by Billie Holiday, detailing Holiday's summer 1954 musical engagements as well as an agreement for debt repayments. The document is typewritten in black ink on white paper, with the Associated Booking Corp blue letterhead at the top and Holiday's signature in blue ink at bottom right. The document reads: [It is hereby understood that on my engagements at the Downbeat, / Frisco Aug. 9-22 and at the Oasis, Los Angeles, Aug. 24-Sept.5 / that in addition to the customary sum of 10% commission on each / engagement which is to be deducted, $100 per week will be deducted / on my past-due indebtedness plus a minimum sum of $50 per week / which is to be paid Arthur Schneider an attorney for ? Gown, / as per understanding and agreement until this account is paid in full. / Sincerely, / Billie Holiday].

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2021.59.3.3

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