DAVIS, Miles.

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Remarkable holograph "letter" from Miles to the Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun. Dashed off in pencil across two leaves of a Shaw Agency expense report, this extraordinary "letter" reflects Miles's infatuation with the woman who was to become his short-lived but vitally important muse, the 23-year-old Betty Mabry. Material of this nature from Davis's hand is rare."Ahmet Ertegun - Betty is interested in recording for Atlantic and Miles - write or phone if you have $ or time. We know you steal but it's okay. If you have any good Talent, Betty has some songs. [Second leaf:] Say hello to your brother Neshui [Nesuhi] who is probably in Israel vacationing. Please give this your immediate attention because the Xmas Holidays are coming and we don't have any money - " This almost certainly dates from late 1968, following Miles's divorce from Frances Taylor in February of that year. At this time Betty Mabry "seemed to be everywhere in New York in a way that was possible only in the late 1960s. She was quintessentially sixties, all funky chic and an exploding Afro, with talent to burn: she had studied fashion design; written 'Uptown' for the Chambers Brothers on their The Time Has Come album; appeared on the Dating Game TV show and as a model in Ebony, Glamour, Jet, and Seventeen; was co-owner of the Cellar, a club for teenagers in New York City; and was beginning a singing career. She was yet another talented woman in Miles' life, but this time a much younger one and wired in

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