An Important Marvin Gaye Autograph Manuscript

An Important Marvin Gaye Autograph Manuscript
7 pages, on Laura Ashley notepaper, dated 2/3/1981, written in London, and reading like a diary entry in which he has written down his emotions and innermost feelings during a time of reflection: "Sometimes I feel desperately impatient ... My depression is deep ... My heart is heavy, it pains me physically ..." before taking a more positive turn, saying "but fortunately I am strong, and shall rise again, to the delight of those who love me, and the dismay of those who hate me...," continuing "after 24 years in this rotten business I'm still there, still beautiful, still youthfull [sic], that's right!" The document ends with a three-line statement on the last page: "I am a bonafide Super Star and shall always be..." underlining "super star" and adding a star drawing, written in blue ink, with several alterations in his hand.

An extremely important letter, this was written at a pivotal time in the musician's career. Soon after his time in London, Gaye moved to Belgium where he wrote and recorded "Sexual Healing." The single was released on September 30, 1982, and became Gaye's biggest career hit, spending weeks on the charts and becoming the biggest R&B hit of the 1980s according to Billboard stats. The single also won Gaye his first two Grammy Awards.

Provenance: Offered by an anonymous friend who Gaye was visiting during his time in London in the early 80s. After confiding in his friend about how unhappy he was, both personally and professionally, the friend suggested he write it all down to give him some perspective. The letter reads somewhat like a mental journey in which, after describing some of his darkest thoughts, he can begin to consider his strengths. Each page 6 x 4 1/8 in.