Carl Van Vechten [Ethel Waters]

Carl Van Vechten, (June 17, 1880 – December 21, 1964) original, silver-print 'real photo' postcard of a bronze bust of Jazz vocalist/actress Ethel Waters by American sculptor and painter Antonio Salemme.

Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896 – September 1, 1977), African-American blues, jazz and gospel vocalist and actress. She frequently performed jazz, big band, and pop music, on the Broadway stage and in concerts, although she began her career in the 1920s singing blues.

Van Vechten, the celebrated American writer and photographer, was the literary executor of Gertrude Stein and a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance movement. He captured iconic images of all the key members in the worlds of Art, Theater, Music, and Literature. Van Vechten viewed his photography as a hobby; he never took commissions, he never sold photographs. He would grant permission to publish them, but had strict requirements to do so. He was a prominent fixture in 20th century photography collections with his work being included in such institutions as The Library of Congress, The Museum of The City of New York and The Smithsonian Institution.

Verso bears notation in Van Vechten's hand: "Ethel Watters II / Bronze by Antonio Salemme / Collection of Carl Van Vechten / IV-22" and original postcard graphics, else blank and clean. In very good condition.