An extraordinary document listing the extravagant sums paid out in the year 1773 for carriage and other related transport expenses by the famous last mistress of Louis XV of France. 22 pp. Tall Folio, on laid paper bound with blue silk tie. Titled to head of recto of sheet one "Memoire Pour Madame La Comtesse De Dubaris D'Ouvrages faites par quenel charron du Roy Scavoir," following with expenses from January and concluding on the final sheet of ledger entries, ending 22 December at Versailles, signed "M thomas De quenel." Detailed descriptions of purchases or services, often with specific providers or locations are recorded with dates and amounts paid. First and final leaves separated, scattered foxing and general toning but very good condition throughout. Read More...
Program booklet from the inaugural 1988 festival "Wien Modern '88," signed on internal pages next to their photographs by composers Pierre Boulez, György Kurtág, Luigi Nono, and György Ligeti. Together with a signed postcard photograph of the artistic director of the festival, Claudio Abbado. Booklet slightly worn at the signed page spread, but overall fine. Booklet 16 pp., 4.25 x 8 inches (10.5 x 20.5 cm), postcard photograph 4 x 5.75 inches (10.5 x 14.8 cm). A remarkable item, signed by four of the giants of 20th century music. Read More...
Pair of striking black and white photographs by Wolfgang von Wangenheim, later reproduced in the book "Danse Africaine" by Germaine Acogny. Gelatin Silver Prints ca. 1980, one of a female figure with upturned palms oustretched, the other, a male figure with arms extended. 8.75 x 11.75 inches. Each print initialed lower right. Each with surface creasing to the upper left quarter and to a lesser degree, center left, else fine. Provenance: From the Estate of Marcuse "Cusie" Pfeifer (1936 - 2020), founding member and president of the Association of International Photography Art Dealers. Read More...
21559. [African Americana]. Portrait of an African American Male, 19th century
19th century miniature silhouette portrait of an African-American gentleman, watercolor, inscribed to the verso "Tomas Hollyday. "16 x 11cm. In fine condition, mounted in a velvet frame with brass detail.
Original ca. 1960 Will Rapport photograph of the dancers in performance in Ailey's first masterpiece, signed in black ink by each of the dancers with their names alone. Photographer's stamp to verso. In fine condition. 7 x 5 inches (17.8 x 12.7 cm.). Read More...
New York: Associated Music Publishers, Inc.. 1957. Small quarto [10-1/2 inches high by 7-1/2 inches wide], softcover bound in printed light tan wrappers. 152 pages. Very good condition, edges of the front wrap slightly darkened, short tear to the surface of the wrap at the spine. Read More...
Toned gelatin silver print from the Anderson & Low series, showing a beautifully composed image of a Danish National Gymnastic Team athlete. Signed, dated, titled and numbered from the edition of 25. Not examined out of frame but in apparently fine condition. Framed to 14.5 x 12 inches (36.8 x 30.5 cm.). Read More...
Rare signed original 7 x 9 inch photograph of the avant-garde composer, inscribed to the American conductor, Alexander Smallens "with sincere and highest admiration to Alexander Smallens from his friend George Antheil / Jan 22, 1932 / NYC." The photograph by Ruth Asch, stamped on the verso and in very fine condition. Read More...
Wonderful image of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing in formal attire, boldly signed by both. The poster measures an impressive 40 x 28 inches and has been dry mounted to foam core board. The signature of Ginger Rogers measures 5.5 inches and the Fred Astaire signature measures 3.5 inches. Small tape damage and repair in the center just above one of the bows, some fold-lines from before the mounting, slight area of moisture damage to lower right corner, otherwise fine. Certainly the largest signed photograph of these two film and dance icons that we have ever encountered!
A scarce AMQS from the important violinist and influential pedagogue, teacher of Elman, Heifetz, Milstein, Zimbalist, Parlow, Schumsky and many others. Auer has penned the first three measures of his Romance in F major for violin and piano (op. 4), which was recorded a few years later by the young Heifetz in 1911. Signed and inscribed to the British violinist and composer "Miss Eva Spalding" (1882 - 1969), and dated London, July 8, 1908. On a small calendar leaf dated May 29. Top edge folded under; tape remnant at the left edge and on the verso, otherwise in very good condition. 5 x 2.5 inches (12.9 x 6.1 cm). Read More...
A very rare early signed carte de visite photograph of the important violinist, dating from 1861, when the sixteen-year-old Auer was beginning his studies with Joseph Joachim. He has signed and inscribed on the verso to Linna Sternberg (a relative of Belgian violinist Hermann Sternberg) and dated Brussels, March 13, 1861. 6.3 x 9.4 cm. Small loss to lower right corner, a few small surface losses to verso, one just touching the first letter of the inscription, else fine. Undoubtedly one of, if not THE, earliest signed photograph of the violinist. Read More...
Original 1927 broadside produced by Imp. H. Chacoin, Paris, advertising a Dadaesque “Utter Poverty” costume ball at the Theatre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The event attracted a considerable amount of curiosity, though criticism on the provocation towards underprivileged populations eventually resulted in the show's cancellation. 15.5 x 23.15 inches (39.4 x 58.7 cm). Not examined out of frame but in apparently fine condition. Archivally matted, framed and glazed. Ref: Spectacle, 192; Color Plate, p. 288; PAI-XLIII (2014), 524. Read More...
New York: Fraenkel Gallery [Distributed Art Publishers]. 2001. First Edition, First Printing. Upright folio (12 x 14.25 in). 56 pp, 40 quadratone reproductions. Limited edition of 5000 copies, this copy signed and inscribed by the eminent American photographer, "For Phyllis and Adolph / with love, / Dick / 2001" to the limitation page opposite inside back cover. In fine condition. Read More...
Paris: J.-B. Baillière et fils. Le Problème Des Hydravions Destinés A La Traversée Aérienne Sans Escale France États-Unis D'Amérique. Extrait de la Science Aérienne Janvier-Février 1938. An extraordinary copy of this publication by the French aircraft designer and builder, one of the early aviation pioneers especially known for his development of reconnaissance aircraft used by the French in World War I and through the 1920s, inscribed to fellow pioneering aviation engineer Igor Sikorsky, who developed the first four-engine airplane and the first modern helicopter to be put into widespread use. A separately issued offprint extract of this article by Breguet from a 1938 issue of the aeronautical journal Science Aérienne, inscribed on the front cover in ink "A Monsieur Sikorsky / hommage trés sincere - / Louis Breguet" and additionally inscribed by Igor Sikorsky to the inside cover "This paper was discussed with Mr. L. Brequet on the way from Paris to Villacoublay on Nov. 16, 1938." and signed "I.S." With numerous annotations throughout in pencil, including small drawings, underlinings, mathematical notations etc. likely the hand of Sikorsky. 4to. 44 pp. Pale green cardstock wrappers. 7.25 x 10.5 inches (18.4 x 26.7 cm.). Mild wear and spotting to exterior cover, toning to pages; overall in fine condition. An extraordinary association copy. Read More...
Original watercolor and collage by the French painter and designer, incorporating visual motifs inspired by the body of a string instrument and the name "Bach" as collage element in the upper left. The artist's signature stamp in the lower right. Fine. 10.83 x 14.37 inches (27.5 x 36.5 cm).
A successful painter and designer, Albert Huyot was one of the many prominent students taught by Gustave Moreau (1826–1898).
11235. [Bach, J.S. (1685-1750) & Handel, George Frederic. (1685-1759)] Gerber, Ernst Ludwig. (1746 - 1819). Historisch-Biographisches Lexicon der Tonkünstler, welches Nachrichten von dem Leben und Werken musikalischer Schriftsteller, beruhmter Componisten, Sanger, Meister auf Instrumenten, Dilettanten, Orgel-und Instrumentmacher, enthalt...Zweyter Theil. N-Z. - WITH 18TH CENTURY FRONTIS PORTRAITS OF BACH AND HANDEL
Leipzig: Breitkopf, und Compag.. 1792. First Edition. First edition of the second volume (of 2) of one of the most important and comprehensive musical dictionaries of the eighteenth century. 860 columns, woodcut borders and devices plus 80 pages index. Early stamp of the Hochschule fur Lehrerbildung Sarrebrücken to title, a few other stamps and notations, scattered foxing throughout, generally fine. Half leather over brown marbled paper boards, gilt decoration and title to spine. Facing stipple-engraved portraits of Bach and Handel bound in as frontispieces, outer edge of the second tipped along edge of the titlepage. Eitner IV, 204; Wolffheim I, 226; Gregory-Bartlett 108. Read More...
A rare and finely carved bust portrait of the great composer, ca. 1850s, likely based on an early nineteenth-century engraving. Carved walnut with good color and patination. Light mounting remnants on the verso. 4.75 x 6.5 inches (12.2 x 16.5 cm). Secular portrait carvings from this era are uncommon. Read More...
Original 1951 Armand of Havana photograph of the legendary entertainer shown in a sumptuous Christian Dior gown and gloves, boldly signed and inscribed in black ink "To Paul / Amicalement / et son devotee / Josephine Baker / 1963." In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.7 x 25.5 cm). Read More...
Large format signed photograph of the American-born French entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist who became a symbol of the decadent Jazz Age and played a leading role in the advancement of African Americans in the arts. A luminous image of the entertainer with her hands and arms artfully placed across her bare body, vintage glossy 6.5 x 8.5 photo by Studio Piaz of Paris, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, "A Monsieur Emile Dretinier, en souvenir de Josephine Baker, Paris, 1933.” In very good to fine condition, with trimmed edges, tack holes to the corners, light silvering, and mottled foxing. Baker's response to her own nudity: 'I wasn't really naked. I simply didn't have any clothes on.'
Sepia toned gelatin photograph of the important dancer, ca. 1912. Stamped "ADOLPH BOLM / 'THAMAR' / SERGE de DIAGHILEFF'S BALLET RUSSE" on the verso in violet ink. Right edge trimmed irregularly, small loss to upper left corner, light spotting, else in fine condition. 5.2 x 8 inches [13.2 x 20.3 cm]. Framed. Read More...