Bill Robinson Signed Photo 11×14 Bojangles – COA JSA

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, the tap-dance pioneer best remembered for tap dancing up and down a staircase with Shirley Temple in “The Little Colonel” (1935) — a routine he invented. He was also the most highly paid African-American entertainer in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. His long career mirrored changes in American entertainment tastes and technology. His career began in the age of minstrel shows and moved to vaudeville, Broadway theatre, the recording industry, Hollywood films, radio, and television. His signature routine was the stair dance, in which he would tap up and down a set of stairs in a rhythmically complex sequence of steps, a routine that he unsuccessfully attempted to patent.

Presented is an 11×14 black-and-white photo of Robinson presumably from a movie promotion wearing tuxedo in a top hat. It was signed wonderfully by the actor Bojangles in green pen (“9″) with a personalization, ” To – My Friend and Admirer – George Pierce with best Wishes – Always, Copacetically – Bill Robinson.” Note, there is an additional white facsimile autograph on the photo common from the era. The photo paper itself has some creasing/tears and paper loss on the edges which does not affect the central image. The verso has also been carefully taped along those tears in preservation of the image.

Authentication: JSA Full Letter

Bill Robinson Signed Photo