A little bit more, from an email by Don Catterall:

‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out’ was composed in 1923 by Jimmy Cox and the first recorded version was by Bobby Leecan that was released sometime around June 1927. His version was on the Paramount label under the name Blind Bobby Baker, with lyrics that are something of a model for Bessie’s version that came two years later. Bessie Smith recorded her seminal version on 15 May 1929 in New York City and it went on to become the version most associated with the legendary Empress of The Blues.

kind regards

Don