Arthur Steel
‘What A Wonderful World’ by Arthur Steel Limited Edition
1968

Name: ‘What A Wonderful World’ by Arthur Steel Limited Edition
Brand: Arthur Steel
Price: 1976.47 CHF
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (24 reviews)

About the Item

‘What A Wonderful World’ by Arthur Steel Paper size: 20 x 13 inches / 51 x 33 cm Framing options available. Note: Image unearthed January 2013. Arthur recalls: “Heathrow’s press officer led me to the departure lounge where Louis and his wife were seated. Their luggage, including his trumpets, were already checked in and so initially I was a little lost as to what I could do to create a good shot. I put the idea to him that if he pretended to play the trumpet it might make a winning picture, luckily for me he cheerfully agreed. I only took two frames and just knew that I had a magical shot in the bag. A short while later the couple were boarding the plane and they kindly gave me a wonderful farewell wave picture too.” Camera: Leica 35mm. Film stock: Kodak Tri-X Pan. Location: Heathrow Airport, London. Year: 1968. Collection: Platinum. Print Type: Fibre-based Harman Galerie FB Digital. Printed by: Metro Imaging. Film stock: Kodak Tri-X Pan. Location: Chelsea, London. Year: 1965. Collection: Platinum. Print Type: Fibre-based Harman Galerie FB Digital. Printed by: Metro Imaging. Limited Editions: All prints are limited editions, no further prints are produced once sold. 60″ prints / edition of 5 50″ prints / edition of 10 40″ prints / edition of 20 30″ prints / edition of 30 20″ prints / edition of 50 12″ prints / edition of 50 Bespoke: All prints are bespoke and printed to order. Presentation: 12 and 20 inch prints are titled, numbered, signed and carefully enfolded in acid free tissue paper, supplied flat in an acid free 4mm 3-ply box for delivery and storage purposes. The boxes are ideal for gift wrapping. The larger 30, 40, 50 and 60 inch prints are also titled, numbered, signed and carefully enfolded in acid free tissue paper and inserted into a rigid 4mm thick protective cardboard tube for delivery. Certificate of Authenticity: Each print acquired from The Arthur Steel Archive is accompanied by an individually signed Certificate of Authenticity. Copyright: © Arthur Steel / The Arthur Steel Archive. Biography: In 1964 Louis Armstrong recorded his biggest selling record “Hello Dolly” (a song that he had forgotten even recording!). The song went to No.1 on the pop chart, making Armstrong (age 63) the oldest person to ever accomplish that feat. Spurred by the unexpected worldwide success Louis was suddenly in demand for every television venue available. A new generation of music buyers were handed a hearty introduction to the King of Jazz, though for many it was a long time before they could hope to grasp his importance. His last big hit, “What a Wonderful World”, didn’t really leave it’s mark until it’s inclusion in the film ‘Good Morning Vietnam’, 16 years after he had passed away. Arthur Steel photographed Louis Armstrong at London’s Heathrow Airport just before he boarded an Airplane destined for his home, The United States of America. The photograph perfectly encapsulates the heart and soul of Louis Armstrong: Anytime he appeared on film, played on stage, or performed on record, it was, indeed, a wonderful, wonderful world. Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed Satchmo, Satch, and Pops, was an American trumpeter, composer, singer and occasional actor who was one of the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades, from the 1920s to the 1960s, and different eras in the history of jazz. In 2017, he was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Armstrong was born and raised in New Orleans. Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an “inventive” trumpet and cornet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance. Around 1922, he followed his mentor, Joe “King” Oliver, to Chicago to play in the Creole Jazz Band. In the Windy City, he networked with other jazz musicians, reconnecting with his friend, Bix Biederbecke, and made new contacts, which included Hoagy Carmichael and Lil Hardin. He earned a reputation at “cutting contests”, and moved to New York in order to join Fletcher Henderson’s band. With his instantly recognisable gravelly voice, Armstrong was also an influential singer, demonstrating great dexterity as an improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song for expressive purposes. He was also very skilled at scat singing. Armstrong is renowned for his charismatic stage presence and voice almost as much as for his trumpet playing. Armstrong’s influence extends well beyond jazz, and by the end of his career in the 1960s, he was widely regarded as a profound influence on popular music in general. Armstrong was one of the first truly popular African-American entertainers to “cross over”, whose skin colour was secondary to his music in an America that was extremely racially divided at the time. He rarely publicly politicised his race, often to the dismay of fellow African Americans, but took a well-publicised stand for desegregation in the Little Rock crisis. His artistry and personality allowed him access to the upper echelons of American society, then highly restricted for black men.

Creator:
Arthur Steel (1936, British)
Creation Year:
1968
Dimensions:
Height: 13 in (33.02 cm)Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)
More Editions & Sizes:
30 x 20, limited edition of 30Price: $3,59040 x 27, limited edition of 20Price: $4,79050 x 33.5, limited edition of 10Price: $8,38060 x 40, limited edition of 5Price: $11,980
Medium:
Silver Gelatin
Movement & Style:
Modern
Period:
1960-1969
Framing:
Framing Options Available
Condition:
Gallery Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
Seller: BS1stDibs: LU381310576472