[NEW ORLEANS/MARDI GRAS/ZULU/JAZZ LOUIS (SATCHMO) ARMSTRONG. A four page typewritten letter dated February 9th, 1952 to Betty Jane Holderat the New Orleans Item. Written on "Satchmo" stationery from the Riverside Hotel, Rena (sic), Nevada. An interesting letter written by Armstrong whilst touring, in which he recalls his reign as "Zulu" on Mardi Gras, 1949 "...how thrilled I was being the King of the Zulu's on Mardi Gras Day..." He recalls his childhood and having worked selling newspapers and mentions the originals of The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club as having originated in the neighborhood where he grew up. He also thanks Joe Oliver for his advice "... Thats why, I give Joe Oliver all the credit in the world, when it comes, to tellingwho went out of their way to show me things on my trumpet." It is interesting to note that the night prior to Mardi Gras where Louis Armstrong was King Zulu, he and his band, The All Stars, played at a dance in New Iberia..."[That was the last time we all saw the great trumpet man-Bunk Johnson... He used to sit in with us, every time he came... Sort of, made him feel good, and we too...", further relating how happy Bunk was that he was going to be Zulu the following day "...Go-'On" Dipper... said Bunk, referring to Dippermouth, Armstrong's childhood nick-name. Continuing, he mentions that the dance finished at around 2 a.m. and that he and his wife, Lucille reached the hotel in New Orleans at 6 a.m. Armstrong describes being made up and dressedfor the parade and writes that when Earl Father Hines, Armstrong's piano player at the time, came to take a snap-shot of him in his regalia "... Earl's eyes got as big as saucers, saying OWHAT THE HELL IS THAT?..." The letter goes on to recall the parade, throwing coconuts, band members riding along and seeing friends from France along the route. He also relates that the float broke down and that the parade was still rolling at 6:30 on Mardi Gras evening (at Roman and Orleans). He further mentions meeting Shep Morrison "...our boy...", the Mayor of New Orleans and spending the afternoon prior to Mardi Gras with him. He also speaks of the origins of Satchmo"... The English People gave the short name Satchmo < because they thought I had more mouth... ODooo...". He also alludes to segregation referring to the aforementioned French friends he saw at the Zulu parade, HughesPanassle, the president of the Hot Club of France and his secretary Madeleine Gautier. They followed The All Stars who toured Mississippi after Armstrong left New Orleans. "... When we left New Orleans we made a tour, all through Mississippi, and all the other points, down there in Galalee (south)< By their being from Europe, they did not payany attention to, whats, happening... Such as, white people going to colored dances, etc... You know, they did not know, because everywherewe played, he and his secretary would sit right up on the bandstand where they could hear that horn... Which was what they came all the way from France to hear... And the law, who saw them sitting up there,did not say one word to them... And, oh, was I happy...My My...". A wonderfully enlightening Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong letter with excellent content full of tid-bits of information which closes: "... You give a big hello to the Mayor, and all the rest of my Jazz Fans down there in my hometown... And, < as the little boy who sat on a block of ice, said, < My Tale Is Told... Yea... Goodnight and God Bless OYa... Am Red beans and ricely yours..." The letter is signed ingreen ink "Louis Armstrong" and is accompanied with its original Satchmo envelope with typewritten address and return address (c/o Joe Glaser), 745 Fifth Avenue, New York. Retains purple 3 cent stamp and yellow 15 cent special delivery stamp, both cancelled, and franked (onreverse) with New Orleans Special Delivery Received stamp, Feb. 12, 1952.