The Blackhawk, Chicago, 1933

The Blackhawk opened its doors for the first time in Chicago on December 27, 1920, and generations of Americans eagerly gathered around their radios on Saturday nights to listen to its syndicated show "Live! From the Blackhawk!"

Carlton Coon-Joe Sanders and the Kansas City Nighthawks were the first house band and the actor and jazz singer Mel Torme, nicknamed the Velvet Fog because of the quality of his voice, debuted there in 1929, at the tender age of four. Other celebrated musicians who played at the Blackhawk included Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller as well as a young crooner called Perry Como. Louis Prima and Chico Marx were regular band leaders on the Blackhawk stage.

This gorgeous art deco menu cover art, by Edouardé, which someone saved as a reminder of a birthday party in 1933, is a reminder of the glory days of The Blackhawk. It's one of our best-sellers. The Blackhawk closed in 1984.

Courtesy Private Collection.

Each print is accompanied by a copy of the interior menu where available.

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