It’s really pretty magnificent — endlessly fascinating to look at, colorful and rich with detail as 36 of the genre’s most influential and enduring musicians are depicted with style and grace. The card backs contain concise biographies of each, including recording session details and record label history.

I have at times had two of these framed and displayed together, one showing the bio back and one showing the front.

Performers: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Mary Lou Williams, Sidney Bechet, Bix Beiderbecke, Jelly Roll Morton, Earl Hines, James P. Johnson, Joe “King” Oliver, Joe Venuti, Benny Goodman and more, 36 in all.

Illustrator: R. Crumb

Size: 25 x 21

Condition is Excellent. These press proofs have minor flaws but have no rips, tears or marks and feature brilliant color.

Of the three Crumb sets, Early Jazz Greats contains perhaps the most impressive array of well-known characters from American musical mythology, whose contributions continued from the ‘20s and ‘30s well into the 1970s, with their vast influence still informing jazz today.

It is colorful and rich with detail as 40 of the country music’s most influential and enduring performers are depicted by legendary comic artist Robert Crumb. The card backs contain concise biographies of each performer by Richard Nevins, including recording session details and record label history.

I have at times had two of these framed and displayed together, one showing the bio back and one showing the front.

Performers:  Jimmie Rodgers , The Carter Family, Gid Tanner and his Skillet Lickers, The Happy Hayseeds, Hoyt Ming and his Pep Steppers, the Buckle Busters, Log Rollers, Tar Heel Rattlers, Fox Chasers,  Possum Hunters and many more, 40 in all.

Illustrator: R. Crumb

Size: About 25 x 21

Bigger than its counterparts at 40 cards, the Pioneers of Country Music set leads with Country/Folk/Bluegrass heavy-hitters the Carter Family. Richard Nevins’ cardback bios contain fascinating detail about each performer’s place in history. Nevins also goes into some detail about each performer’s recording history, often noting record labels and “firsts” for performers. There is lots of fun buried in this treasure chest of arcane country lore.