Collecting signatures from classmates in school yearbooks is a time honored tradition dating back at least to the 16th century as a way of creating mementos from important periods in one’s life. Autographs are often accompanied by personal notes or poetic verses. Sometimes these become de facto scrapbooks by filling up with pressed flowers, locks of hair, or other mementos.

Former radio producer Jim McGrath donated this copy of Blues Who’s Who, which he routinely took to blues shows, soliciting signatures from performers. The encyclopedic listings proved a natural vehicle to have musicians sign by their entries. Many sidemen also signed, sometimes complaining that they aren’t included in the book. Jim’s standard response was “You will be when you autograph it!” Containing 379 autographs, this book is the largest single collection of signatures in our holdings.

The display case featured several autographs from McGrath's Blues Who's Who, including:

• James "Jimmy" Dawkins
• B. B. King
• Jessie Mae Hemphill
• Taj Mahal
• Willie Dixon