Autographed Vintage Album: Hand-Signed by Harry Belafonte
This entry showcases a primary-source piece of mid-century folk and pop music history: an original vinyl LP pressing of Belafonte, hand-signed and inscribed on the front cover by legendary singer, actor, and civil rights activist Harry Belafonte. Released by RCA Victor, this milestone 1956 album captured Belafonte at the dawn of his career as one of the most successful pop stars in history.
Nicknamed the "King of Calypso," Harry Belafonte popularized Caribbean musical styles with international audiences during the 1950s. His landmark 1956 album Calypso became the first solo LP in history to sell over one million copies. A multi-talented entertainer and EGOT recipient (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards), Belafonte was also a close confidant of Martin Luther King Jr. and an indispensable leader in the American Civil Rights Movement. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 under the Early Influence category.
This self-titled 1956 studio album features some of Belafonte's most iconic early recordings, including "Waterboy", "Matilda", "Unchained Melody", "Scarlet Ribbons", and "Sylvie".
The front cover displays a classic portrait of a young Belafonte in an open-collared salmon shirt against a mint green background. Positioned cleanly across the right-hand portion of the cover over the title logo, Harry Belafonte has rendered a bold signature in blue ink ("Harry Belafonte"), accompanied by his personal inscription, "Best wishes". Complete with its original RCA Victor vinyl LP disc, the album comes authenticated with an official Basic Certification Card from James Spence Authentication (JSA) (Certification Number: EE57926). Showing honest vintage edge wear and handling consistent with its mid-century release, this autographed album stands as an essential centerpiece for pop culture collectors, folk music archivists, and Harry Belafonte admirers.
Album & Presentation Specifications
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HISTORIC RCA VICTOR VINYL PRESSING: Released by RCA Victor (LSP-1150(e)); complete with original printed album jacket and vinyl LP record disc.
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CLASSIC MINT GREEN COVER ART: Features the iconic front portrait of Belafonte alongside rear liner notes authored by William Attaway.
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AUTHENTIC VINTAGE CONDITION: Displays genuine edge wear, corner aging, and surface wear preserving true 1950s character.
Autograph Specifications & Provenance
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HAND-SIGNED & INSCRIBED BY HARRY BELAFONTE: Authentically autographed in blue ink across the front cover by EGOT winner and music legend Harry Belafonte ("Best wishes / Harry Belafonte").
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JSA CERTIFIED: Fully verified and authenticated by James Spence Authentication LLC (JSA) (Certification Number: EE57926).
