Auction research

(1907-99) Famed One Legged African American Tap Dancer. Bates danced professionally from the age of four, and after losing a leg in a cotton gin accident he taught himself to dance all over again using his wooden peg leg. He continued dancing for the rest of his life (giving a full performance on the day that he died) and is fondly remembered for his 22 appearances on TV’s Ed Sullivan Show. This item is a vintage 1940’s 2 ½ x 3 ½" Smiling Cardstock Photo, great full length pose signed in the 1990’s.

(1907-99) Famed One Legged African American Tap Dancer. Bates danced professionally from the age of four, and after losing a leg in a cotton gin accident he taught himself to dance all over again using his wooden peg leg. He continued dancing for the rest of his life (giving a full performance on the day that he died) and is fondly remembered for his 22 appearances on TV’s Ed Sullivan Show. 8x10 vintage sepia toned fantastic portrait.