Burbank, CA: Golden Torch Music Corp.. c. 1977. Signed sheet music from the 1977 song "The Greatest Love of All," recorded as the main theme of the Muhammad Ali biopic The Greatest. Ali has signed on the cover, which features a montage of images from the film. 6 pp. Also included is a circular sticker with the logo of "The Greatest" and an image of Ali. Very fine overall. 9 x 12 inches (23 x 30.5 cm). Read More...
Cabinet photograph, ca. 1910's, of Alistair MacWilkie, a Scotsman with an "eleven foot beard," signed and inscribed by MacWilkie in pencil on the verso: "World's Prize Whiskers / Yours truly Alistair MacWilkie, Perthshire, Scotland." Photographed by Frank Wendt of Boonton, N.J., MacWilkie is shown in his kilt, holding bagpipes and with his beard falling to the ground in front of him. Heavy vertical folding crease, with card split on the verso along the fold but intact on the surface of the photograph. Overall good. 4 x 6.5 inches (10.5 x 16.4 cm). Read More...
A intriguing group of three ballooning flyers advertising the United Kingdom's most famous balloonist of the 19th century. Experimenting with coal gas as a cheaper and more readily available alternative to hydrogen for lifting power, Green's first ascent was in a coal gas balloon on 19 July 1821 and he had made 200 ascents by 1835. In 1836, he set a major long distance record in the balloon Royal Vauxhall, flying overnight from Vauxhall Gardens in London to Weilburg, Duchy of Nassau (Germany), a distance of 480 miles (770 km). By the time he retired in 1852, he had flown in a balloon more than 500 times. The present broadsides are all very rare, with only a few recorded similar examples in WorldCat. As follows: Read More...
Paris: Chez Cuchet. 1783. First, 1st issue. 8vo. 19.5x12.5 cm (7¾x5"). [i-iii] iv-xl, [1] 2-299, [3], 9 engraved plates (plate v as frontispiece). Contemporary full vellum with five raised bands, pages edged in red. With the ownership signature “Dutillet” to the inside front board in a contemporary hand, raising the intriguing possibility that this copy hails from the family of Évrard Titon du Tillet (1677-1762), great patron of the arts and secretary to Louis XIV, whose family mansion “La Folie Titon” was the sight of the first tethered balloon flight on October 19th, 1783 (Réveillon, de Rozier and de Villette). A later ownership signature “Allonneaud” in pencil, on the blank recto of the frontis engraving. A few pages slightly irregularly cut, including one partially separating from the gutter, else fine. References: Dibner, Heralds of Science 179; PMM 229; Norman 769; Sparrow, Milestones of Science 179; Tissandier p.21. Read More...
14766. [Beauty Pageants]. "One of Them Gets a Ride" - Original Press Photograph
Original 1937 press photograph showing the contestants for the title of Miss California posing in swimsuits on the wing of an airliner. Press caption on the verso dated July 17, 1937. In very good condition with one small tear to the upper edge. 9 x 7 inches (22.8 x 18 cm).
Book-form flask made by the important British silversmiths James Dixon & Sons Ltd of Sheffield, c. 1920. Upper right corner of the "book" separates to reveal the spout, with the seam masked to appear as part of the cover design. Light wear, some signs of plate loss and pitting, else fine. 5.25 x 7.25 x 1.25 inches (13.3 x 18.4 x 3.2 cm.), holds 24 Oz.
Charming International News Photos photograph of the Italian heavyweight boxer posing with his father. A typed press blurb to verso reads, "Sequals, Italy...This quiet little village is proud of its first citizen, Primo Carnera, current World's Heavyweight Champion and is glad that the big boy is back again in their midst, enjoying the rustic retreat that is the Carnera ancestral domicile. Here is 'Da Preem' himself giving his dad a practical demonstration of the art of fisticuffs, and demonstrating the lethal punch with which he won the title from Jack Sharkey, and—sadly, it must be mentioned—also with which he failed to rock the ancient and somewhat battle-scarred warrior Paulino Uzoudun to sleep in their meeting in Rome a few days ago. / K-10-27-33." Photographer's stamp and ink to verso, else in fine condition. 6.5 x 8.5 inches (16.5x 21.6 cm.). Read More...
Sepia International News Photos photograph of the Italian heavyweight boxer in the ring with matchmaker and promoter Jimmy Johnston. A typed press blurb to verso reads, "Miami, Florida...Primo Carnera is under the master's eye, and instruction here. He's getting a few pointers from James J. Johnston, Madison Square Garden fight impresario, As the picture was snapped James was introducing Primo to a new wallop to add to his bag of pugilistic tricks. The incident occurred at the training camp here of Da Preem, where he is conditioning for his meeting with Tommy Loughran. / K-2-17-34." Photographer's stamp to verso, with an additional later Cuban Spanish-language press clipping mounted to verso. In fine condition. 6.5 x 8.5 inches (16.5x 21.6 cm.). Read More...
Original carte-de-visite-size engraved portrait of nineteenth-century acrobat and aquatic performer Harry Gurr, known as the "Man Fish." Printed by the Calvert Lithographic Co., Detroit. Toning and light soiling; overall very good. 2.25 x 4 inches (5.8 x 10.5 cm).
Harry Gurr performed on the double trapeze with the Joel E. Warner and W. W. Cole Circuses in the 1870's; he was also known for his "man fish" underwater act.
Victorian-era lead relief placard depicting an erotic scene being interrupted by a man opening the door at left. In the upper right, a medallion shows two horses engaging in some erotic behavior of their own and at the upper center, a woman's bare chest pokes through a window. Wear from aging, else fine. 2.75 x 3.5 inches (7 x 8.5 cm.).
Signed photograph of the British Formula One driver behind the wheel of the Tyrrell 006 Number 5, driven during his World Championship-winning 1973 season. Stewart has inscribed "To Grayce / With Best Wishes / Jackie Stewart" in blue marker. In very fine condition. 7 x 5 inches (17.8 x 12.7 cm.).
Nicknamed the "Flying Scot," Jackie Stewart won the Formula One World Championship three times, in 1969, 1971, and 1973.
17275. [Log Cabin Life]. Man Defecating In the Woods - Outrageous Carte de Visite Photograph
Highly unusual carte de visite photograph of a man outside beside a log cabin, squatting to relieve himself with his pants around his ankles. Image very faded, card toned; overall good. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.3 x 10.6 cm).
Undated photograph of a marching band from Saint Paul, signed by every member, dressed in their full uniforms. A charming detail: the two signatures in the lower left hand corner, of Patty C. and Patty S., one right on top of the other. 8 x 10 inches (21.5 x 25.8 cm). Light wear on edges, otherwise fine.
Marching bands grew in popularity in the United States after World War I. The form is still thriving, with national and international competitions at a collegiate level.
Antique French Four of Diamonds playing card, humorously illustrated with two men snuffing tobacco while a pair of dogs cause trouble, from one of the sets of hand-colored and etched Cartes a Rire published Paris, France by Grandebes, ca.1819. Mounted to support with various notations, toning, else fine, 3.5 x 2 inches (9 x 6.2 cm.). Field 27: "The caricatures are of the highest artistic quality."
Pipsqueak toy of plaster, fabric and string, decorated with two faces, American, late-19th century. 2.25 x 2 inches (5.7 x 5 cm.). Fabric torn, else fine.
Unusual walking cane incorporating three different bronze corkscrews of varying sizes into the handle, with the knob and body carved out of olive wood. A striking piece in very fine condition, 35.625 inches tall (90.5 cm.).