James "Son Ford" Thomas (American/Mississippi, 1926-1993) skull sculpture with rock teeth, unfired gumbo clay and plaster of paris, 8 1/2" H x 4 1/2" W x 6" D. Includes VOICES OF MISSISSIPPI, by William Ferris, a slip-cased book and audio CD collection featuring "Son" Thomas on the cover. Ferris spent decades documenting African American culture as a basis for the formation of the Blues musical style, signed by Ferris on the title page. 10 1/2" W x 8 1/2" H. Also, a copy of LOCAL COLOR: A SENSE OF PLACE IN FOLK ART by Ferris, with an in-depth chapter on Thomas, as well as clipped newspaper articles from The Clarion Ledger, June 1993 and Dec. 2018, with features on Thomas.

Note: James Henry "Son" Thomas, internationally famed blues musician and folk sculptor, was born in Eden, MS, on October 14, 1926. Thomas made his first recordings for folklorist William "Bill" Ferris in 1968. He later traveled throughout the United States and Europe to perform at blues concerts and exhibit his artwork. His performances had been confined to juke joints and house parties until he met Ferris, who began recording and filming Thomas and other local bluesmen in 1968. Thomas was one of the most recognized local musical figures in Mississippi during the 1970s and '80s. He performed throughout the state at nightclubs, festivals, private parties, government social affairs, colleges, and juke joints. He also toured and recorded several blues albums in Europe, and his folk art was featured at galleries in New York, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere. Thomas died in Greenville, MS, on June 26, 1993. (Source: Mississippi Blues Trail, Mississippi Blues Commission )

CONDITION: Very good condition, no damage to sculpture, or slipcased book. Paperback book has chips to front cover and pages.