Bruce Lenny Remarkable Lenny Bruce Archive, On Comedy Acts, Gigs, Clowns, and Jazz Pianists Small archive of autograph letters inscribed and signed by controversial comedian and writer Lenny Bruce (1925-1966), 9pp, 5 pieces total, ca. 1960-1966. Including four documents signed as "Lenny" (4) and "Your gonifing son" (1) respectively. Expected wear includes light paper folds and wrinkles. Overall light toning, else very good to near fine. One piece is professionally repaired, measuring 8.5" x 3.875". Transcript material is reproduced with unchanged spelling and grammatical errors and most cross-outs. Provenance: From the estate of "Count" Lewis DePasquale. A delightful collection highlighting Bruce's signature acerbic humor peppered with Yiddish expressions and biting street slang! Lenny Bruce revolutionized American comedy, by his transgressive interrogation of taboo issues like sex, race, religion, and society, and also by his use of unedited language. Bruce pushed the envelope of humor, and by so doing, also pushed against the boundaries of socially and legally acceptable public behavior. As such, he is now known as a champion of free speech. Bruce was arrested 15 times in two years, mostly on obscenity charges. The entertainer was blacklisted and facing bankruptcy when he died of an accidental morphine overdose at the age of 40 in 1966. "Count" Lewis DePasquale (1930-2001) was one of Bruce's intimates, widely known as "The Count" Born in Trenton, New Jersey, DePasquale served as a cryptographer and musician in the special services during the Korean War. He was a jazz keyboardist and played the organ for such performers as Ella Fitzgerald and Harry Belafonte. In January 1960, he was introduced to Lenny Bruce in Miami, Florida. Bruce immediately liked DePasquale and asked him to come open for him at the El Patio Club across town. Over the next six years, the Count played, worked, and wrote movies with Bruce. When DePasquale died in 2001, he was in the process of writing a memoir of his experiences with Bruce. 1. 4pp manuscript with incredible comedic content, in which Lenny Bruce weighs in on comedy greats, comedy clubs, and various comedic situations. Dictated by Bruce and inscribed in the hand of "Count" Lewis DePasquale.In part:"Dear Max,This is an excerpt of wire I sent I.T.A. Please, Please, Max I know that I like Jackie Gleason and never liked Bud Abbot + Lou Costolo.Played miniature golf but never bowled, wouldn't drink out of a glass with lipstick on it. Will fress up strange shmushskie.I reflect the taste of a big buying market. The Alberts double it. (stop)Sad clowns are goyish. All I think of when I look at Emmet Kelly pictures is some old bum made cissy on the radiator. ‘Quote.'The Blue Angel is like sending orchids in a steam heated car.The Blue Angel It's good for Earl Grant, bad for Earl Hines their props are delightful paintings that hang tastefully in their living room, where they entertain gracefully.I saw their act in England. The stage at the Vanguard needs widening + it's about time too. It can run straight + have a dressing room in the back. If I'm sounding ridiculous it's because I'm interested in the café business + developing talent in a way that most people hate, By by spending a few dollars on them.I will send carpenter to do job. you pay for lumber that's all + mabey a painter.It all boils down to I'm staking my ego and on my taste as far as what is commercial, By giving you By paying for a carpenter, plus giving you $2000 free plus I will give you 4 free days on a five week booking any time after New Years'Four 6 day weeks, 2 shows nightly, 3-Saturday $3500, per week. Week starts on Fri. night. The 5th wk, I'll work 7 days for $1500.Please wire me immediately8825 Hollywood Blvd.Los Angeles, Calif."Bruce's correspondent Max Gordon (1903-1989) was a jazz promoter who founded the Village Vanguard jazz club in New York City in 1935. He opened the Blue Angel in midtown Manhattan in 1942.Bruce's letter mentions no fewer than six popular entertainers of the day, and his commentary gives us insight into his personal preferences. For example, while he never liked comedy duo Bud Abbott (1897-1974) and Lou Costello (1906-1959), Bruce liked comedic television actor Jackie Gleason (1916-1987). Bruce reserved some particularly intense dislike for "sad clowns" like Emmett Kelly (1898-1979), whose most popular character "Weary Willie" was based on a Depression-era hobo. He also had strong opinions about jazz and its practitioners. While vocalist, pianist, and organist Earl Grant (1931-1970) would thrive in a venue like Gordon's Village Vanguard, Bruce thought that bandleader and jazz pianist Earl Hines (1903-1983) would not do as well there.This letter is particularly poignant in that it was written from 8825 Hollywood Blvd., where in 1966, Lenny Bruce was found dead in his bathroom from a drug overdose.2. 2pp ALS addressed to Bruce's mother Sally Marr. Inscribed and 2x signed by Bruce, the first time as "Lenny" in the body of the letter, and the second time as "Love your gonifing son" at the letter's conclusion.In full:"Sally Marr 8825 Hollywood Blvd Los Angles Calif. Dear Ma, I heard Check + see if my black atache case with the Goya bean lables on it is upstairs It has 800 8 G's in it value. If there was a theft I am sure I am insured for it. and proble a lot of other stuff. That will cover you. The bracelet I nerver gave you and the ring for that reason. Lenny why do you do keep womans jerly in your house trick to get women in there. Come up to my apartment + see my ear rings Love your gonifing son."Bruce's mother Sadie Kitchenberg Schneider (1906-1997) went by the stage name "Sally Marr." She was a stand-up comic, dancer, and actress who first introduced Bruce to the entertainer's lifestyle.3. 1p ALS dated September 10, 1961 and signed as "Love Lenny" at bottom right.In full:"Sept 10, 1961 Dear Count, Have defenete gig for you Sept 15-Sept 25, Red Hill N. Jersey $750. I'm telling the boss if he doesn't take you, He doesn't get me. Pretty good eh? Come in a day earlier so you can get that Miami Sand out of your shoes Can't wait to see you Love Lenny."Bruce and DePasquale appeared at Joe DeLuca's Red Hill Inn Jazz in Jersey nightclub in Pennsauken, New Jersey, across the river from Philadelphia. Just two weeks after writing this letter, Bruce would be arrested in Philadelphia for narcotics possession.4. 1p ALS on "Tidelands Motor Inn / 6500 South Main Street / Houston 25, Texas / Jackson 6-4161" letterhead. Inscribed and signed as "Love Lenny." Apparently DePasquale's nickname also extended to the female version of "Count."In full:"Dear Countess, Doing good in Chicago, thinking about you. Love Lenny."5. 1p ALS on beige waxed paper. Two closed tears running vertically along preexisting creases have been professionally repaired.In full:"Dear Count Get these shoes home for me they are in back of this seat. I'm afraid they will get stolen in dressing room Love Lenny." A remarkable archive granting us exclusive access into Bruce's creative process, business affairs, legal troubles, and personal life!This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!