1.
[Books and Programs]
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918-1990). "Vital Music old and new, Superbly performed under a Stimulating Young Conductor" - Early Concert Flyer from the 1945-46 season.
Rare early flyer promoting performances by the young conductor with the New York City Symphony at New York City Center for the 1945-46 season. The flyer reads "New York City Symphony / conducted by Leonard Bernstein / Vital Music old and new Superbly performed under a Stimulating Young Conductor / At prices within the reach of all," all above a portrait of an almost impossibly young Bernstein. The concerts, which took place between October 8, 1945 and April 1, 1946, included "12 Monday Symphonies," "Symphonies at 6," and "Symphonies for Young America (Ages 12 to 24)," and promised "The finest in modern music," "refreshing vigorous programs," and "new youthful spirit in music." Stamped "Sep 27 1945" to verso. Horizontal folding crease with one-inch tear along crease, overall in fine condition. Read More...
New York: Simon & Schuster. 1982. First edition. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with photographs. Signed and inscribed by Bernstein on the title page. In original dj, very fine throughout. Read More...
New York: Ridge Press Book/ Viking Press . 1968. First edition. Richly illustrated with photographs, showing both the public and private sides of this phenomenal talent and personality. Boldly signed and inscribed in black ink by Bernstein on title and dated 1972. Pictorial hardcover, 191 pp. Outer printed glassine dj partially torn, else fine. Fine. Read More...
Boston: David R. Godine. 1988. First. A tribute for Bernstein's 70th birthday with ample imagery and illustration, including essays by John Rockwell, Andrew L. Pincus, Bernstein himself, and many more. Inscribed on the half title to Phyllis Newman, "Dearest Phyllis - you swung me into a whole new decade - God love you - Lenny / 88." Green cloth with slipcase. 8to. 204pp. Slight discoloration of cloth along spine and extremities of book and slipcase, else fine. Read More...
Signed title page of David Ewen's Leonard Bernstein: A Biography for Young People (Philadelphia and New York: Chilton, 1961). Signature "Leonard Bernstein" only. Single sheet, cut from the book. 9.25 x 5 inches (23.4 x 12.8 cm). In fine condition. Together with a second Bernstein for young people item, namely the softcover Bernstein biography by Molly Crone, with charming illustrations by Robert Galster. First edition, published by Thomas Y. Crowell/ Crocodile, New York, 1973. 32 pp, modest crease, else fine. Read More...
New York: Boosey and Hawkes [Jalni Publications, Inc.]. 1988. Corrected Edition. Instrumental study score (27 cm). [PN] HPS 1135. 153 pp. Inscribed by the composer at the head of the first page of music in blue ink, circling the printed dedication "For Adolph Green" and adding "with my love / Lenny." A very special copy of the score for Jerome Robbins' first, spectacularly successful ballet, inscribed and dedicated by the conductor and composer to his friend, playwright Adolph Green, the dedicatee of the work. Dampstaining and a little rippling to covers and along the foredge but internally unaffected and with clean pages throughout. Read More...
Printed program from the world premiere of MASS at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on September 8, 1971. Title signed by Leonard Bernstein (composer and librettist), Rose Kennedy (mother of John F., Robert and Edward "Ted" Kennedy), Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (J. F. Kennedy's widow), Edward "Ted" Kennedy (John F. Kennedy's brother; senator), and Edward Durell Stone (architect of the Kennedy Center). Stone inscribed the program to noted autograph collector Stephen Adamson. 128 pp. Near fine condition with only some subtle signs of age. Read More...
New York: Random House. 1958. First, 1st issue. . Hardcover with dust jacket, 5.5 x 8.25, 143 pages. Signed and inscribed on the first free end page in black felt tip, "Best wishes to Matt Stiller, from Stephen Sondheim, 4/9/93." Book condition: fine, with sunning to the jacket's spine, and a tape-repaired tear to the spine's head. Read More...
Rare souvenir program from the original Broadway production of the classic musical West Side Story, signed by much of the original cast, including the creators of the principal roles: Carol Lawrence (Maria), Larry Kert (Tony), Chita Rivera (Anita), Art Smith (Doc), Mickey Calin (Riff), Ken LeRoy (Bernardo), Lee Theodore (credited here as "Lee Becker") (Anybodys), Eddie Roll (Action), David Winters (Baby John), and Tony Mordente. (A-Rab). 16 pp. Wear to spine, overall in fine condition. 9 x 12 inches (22.9 x 30.5 cm.). Read More...
New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. 1980. First edition. Octavo, brown cloth-backed rust boards in gilt, in dj. viii, [ii] 469 pp. Illustrated in B&W. Near Fine. From the library of Leonard Bernstein's, inscribed to him on the front endpaper in an unknown hand: "To Lenny / on receiving the first N.Y.S. award in Music, and to celebrate the world premiere of his Kostelanetz 'toast,' we give this biography of a New York forerunner in opera, show & philosophy / Love / Katie & Keri." Together with a printed card identifying the volume as having originally been sold in the Leonard Bernstein Estate sale at Sotheby's as lot 151. Read More...
Autograph letter signed to Nathan Broder, manager of publications for the music publisher G. Schirmer. 18 Feb, 1950, on letterhead of Bernstein's 1025 Park Ave address. In full: “Dear Nat, Just a word to express my deep pleasure and satisfaction at the publication of The A of A [Age of Anxiety]. It is beatuifully gotten out, handsome and done with loving care; and I am filled with gratitude. Sincerely, Lenny B." Usual folds, stamp "Received / 1950 FEB 18...G Schirmer" on the verso, in fine condition. 7 x 10.5 inches (19 x 26 cm). Read More...
Large format original bust portrait drawing of the American composer/conductor/pianist, boldly signed in black ink "Leonard Bernstein" and by the artist "Bralow." Accomplished in graphite with white paint highlights and the name of the subject in gray lower left. An attractive and sensitive portrait apparently accomplished in person in Scarsdale, NY, ca. 1975. 17.5 x 21 inches (44.5 x 53.5 cm), fully laid down to rigid backing and matted overall to 22.5 x 26.5 inches (57.15 x 67.5 cm). Slight ripple against backing to right blank area, else fine.
An LP of th acclaimed ballet score, boldly signed on verso of jacket, "Leonard Bernstein". Columbia Masterworks – M 33082. Spine and lower seem partially split, impression of LP rubbed to front and small stains, LP untested but in apparently fine condition. Read More...
15.
[Letters and Misc.]
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918–1990). The Sound of Genius is on Columbia Records - SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH ADVERTISEMENT
An autograph signature from the beloved American composer and conductor, penned in blue ink on a Columbia Records advertisement which appears on the verso of this excised page from a January 1922, 1958 Carnegie Hall program featuring the Philharmonic Student Concert presented by The Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, conducted by Bernstein. Vertical crease, right edge rough, else fine. 7.25 x 9.5 inches (18.5 x 24.5 cm).
16.
[Photographs (signed)]
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918–1990). Large 1959 Signed Photograph at the Herodes Atticus Theatre, inscribed to Jack Gottlieb
Large original photograph of Bernstein at the piano, in rehearsal in 1959 with the NY Philharmonic at the extraordinary Herodes Atticus Theatre in Athens, Greece, inscribed by him in marker "With warm memories from ------> [arrow pointing to Bernstein, at the piano] To ------> [arrow pointing to Jack Gottlieb, seated behind] 8 Feb '63." Approximately 14 x 20 inches (35.5 x 51 cm), framed under UV plexiglass and in very fine condition. Read More...
Signed original doubleweight photograph of the American conductor and composer, one of the titans of mid-century American music, standing in the proscenium of an unknown stage, the orchestra to his front and the curtain to his rear. Bernstein has inscribed "For Paul / Leonard Bernstein" in black ink to a light area of the image. Photographer unconfirmed but likely Paul McMahon, ca. 1965. In very fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Signed portrait in profile of the American composer, conductor and pianist as a young man. Inscribed to Paul McMahon. Caption, "Leonard Bernstein," typed to verso. 9.5 x 7.5 inches (24.1 x 19 cm). In fine condition. Read More...
Signed portrait in profile of the American composer, conductor and pianist. Inscribed to Paul McMahon. Hand stamps of Columbia Records Photo to verso. 9 x 7 inches (23.1 x 17.7 cm). Slight tear to right margin; else in fine condition. Read More...
Attractive signed photograph of the conductor and composer, who has penned his name to the lower blank margin in purple ink, adding the date of '84 and, at the top of the photo, "Happy Birthday!". 3.6 x 5.5 inches (9 x 13.5 cm). Very fine.