Autographs of Harry James

Harry Haag James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led a big band to great commercial success from 1939 to 1946. He broke up his band for a short period in 1947, but shortly after he reorganized and was active again with his band from then until his death in 1983. He was especially known among musicians for his technical proficiency as well as his tone, and was influential on new trumpet players from the late 1930s into the 1940s. He was also an actor in a number of films that usually featured his band.
James was born in Albany, Georgia, United States, the son of Everett Robert James, a bandleader in a traveling circus, the Mighty Haag Circus, and Myrtle Maybelle (Stewart), an acrobat and horseback rider. He started performing with the circus at an early age, first as a contortionist at the age of four, then playing the snare drum in the band from about the age of six. It was at this age that James was almost trampled by the circus trick horses after he wandered onto the circus track as they were performing their stunts, but he was protected by his mother's pet horse, who stood over him until the other horses rushed by.
James started taking trumpet lessons from his father at age eight, and by age twelve he was leading the second band in the Christy Brothers Circus, for which his family was then working. James's father placed him on a strict daily practice schedule. At each session he was given several pages to learn from the Arban's book and was not allowed to pursue any other pastime until he had learned them. In 1924, his family settled in Beaumont, Texas. It was here in the early 1930s that James began playing in local dance bands when he was 15 years of age. While still a student at Dick Dowling Junior High School, he participated as a regular member of Beaumont High School's Royal Purple Band, and in May 1931 he took first place as trumpet soloist at the Texas Band Teacher's Association's Annual Eastern Division contest held in Temple, Texas.
More about Harry James Wikipedia

Affiliate disclosure: When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Traded items with a signature of Harry James

The most expensive item with a signature of Harry James (Harry James - famed Big Band Leader signed photo 10x8". AFTAL COA) was sold in March 2025 for £155.00 while the cheapest item (Harry James Signed Photo. 5x7. Good Condition) found a new owner for £0.99 in June 2014. The month with the most items sold (4) was December 2025 with an average selling price of £51.90 for an autographed item of Harry James. Sold items reached their highest average selling price in December 2025 with £51.90 and the month that saw the lowest prices with £2.49 was May 2019. In average, an autographed item from Harry James is worth £17.80.

Most recently, these items with a signature of Harry James were sold on eBay - click here for more items.

Picture	Item Title	Price	Store
	1970s EXCELLENT AUTOGRAPHED BY Harry James The King James Version LP33	£123.34
	1976 Harry James Big Band “King James” LP • Sheffield Autographed Signed RBE	£48.58
	3 Vintage Autographed Vinyl Album,Royal Kings,Joe Baris,Norman Brody,Harry James	£34.57
	3 Vintage Autographed Vinyl Album,Royal Kings,Joe Baris,Norman Brody,Harry James	£36.42
	3 Vintage Autographed Vinyl Album,Royal Kings,Joe Baris,Norman Brody,Harry James	£36.63
	3 Vintage Autographed Vinyl Album,Royal Kings,Joe Baris,Norman Brody,Harry James	£36.22
	Harry James ( Thunder ) Hand Signed Drum Stick When He Played For Magnum (14)	£35.00
	Harry James ( Thunder ) Hand Signed Drum Stick When He Played For Magnum (14)	£35.00
	Harry James ( Thunder ) Hand Signed Drum Stick When He Played For Magnum (14)	£39.99
	Harry James ( Thunder ) Hand Signed Drum Stick When He Played For Magnum (14)	£49.99
	Harry James - HARRIED (CD, Signed & Numbered (29/50), Potions Music - POTLP-004)	£24.22
	Harry James Auto - The Uncollected Vol. III -AUTOGRAPHED JACKET 12" LP	£28.93
	Harry James the Ballads and the Beat LP Vinyl Dot Records - Album Cover Signed!	£17.72
	Kei Marimura The Man I Love Japan Vinyl LP w Signed Card Norio Maeda Harry James	£63.81
	SIGNED HARRY JAMES THE UNCOLLECTED LP RECORD	£31.62