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...
23381. Gropius, Walter. (1883–1969). Typed Letter Signed, sending Comments and Corrections for the article "Walter Gropius / Innovator"
Typed letter signed from the influential German-American architect and founder of the Bauhaus School (1919), widely regarded as one of the pioneering masters of modernist architecture. A leading architect of the International Style, his important buildings include also the Harvard Graduate Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the Pan Am Building in New York City. He was also the second husband of Alma Mahler. 1 page, on letterhead with his Cambridge, MA address. July 22, 1960. Addressed to Mr. Harlan Hoffa, Chairman of the Art Education Department of Boston University, noting his delight "about your essay which, besides its intellectual content, is remarkably correct as to the facts and data," ordering twenty copies when printed, and making "a few little remarks" as follows: Read More...
Autograph excerpt in the hand of the 18th century French diplomat, spy, and soldier who lived openly as a man and as a woman in France and England at different stages of life, drawing much public interest, and who infiltrated the court of Empress Elizabeth of Russia by presenting as a woman. 1 p. in-8, mounted at the head of a manuscript folio volume. Vellum boards flecked and worn; some water staining to approximately the final quarter of the manuscript pages, otherwise fine. The excerpt translated in full: “Although my sacrifice is not voluntary, I get used to this sacrifice which frees me from so much pain, from trouble, from care, from worry, from hardships, makes me share in a tranquility of a happiness which will no longer be susceptible to end or change. What, O my God, would not be softened by such a hope? Should we not without hesitation sacrifice goods, fortune, honors and pleasures for our salvation? This is my present and future conduct absolutely regulated by the order of the law. How many considerations together distance me from the world, force me to change my life, to extricate myself from the tumult of the noise where it is so difficult to recognize oneself." ["Quoique mon sacrifice ne soit pas volontaire, je m'habitue à ce sacrifice qui me délivre de tant de peines, de trouble, de soin, d'inquiétude, é de traverses, me rend participante d'une tranquillité d'une félicité qui ne sera plus susceptible ni de fin ni de changement. Qu'est-ce, ô mon Dieu, que n'adouciroit pas une telle espérance ? Ne devons-nous pas sans hésiter sacrifier à notre salut biens, fortune, honneurs, plaisirs tout ce que nous avons de plus précieux ? Voilà ma conduite présente à venir absolument réglé[e] par l'ordre de la loi. Que de considérations ensemble m'éloignent du monde, me force[nt] à changer de vie, à me tirer du tumulte du fracas où il est si difficile de se reconnoître."] Read More...
New York: Empress Music Inc. . 1961. "Jac-que-line, Jac-que-line, / She is charming, she is sweet. Jac-que-line, Jac-que-line, / When she smiles, we're at her feet. Jac-que-line, Jac-que-line, / Loves to read and study books, / Jac-que-line, Jac-que-line, / She has a mind as well as looks..." Read More...
New York: Frederick Fell, Inc. . 1968. First. Hardcover volume, inscribed on the ffe "Best Wishes To Barbara / A Darling Person / From / (Dolly Dimples) / Celesta Geyer / Oct 16, 1968." 239 pp. Red cloth in dj with wear and small tears along upper and lower edge and two pages with printer/binding errors (p. 107, 117) each with partial printing and strangely folded, else fine. The graphically striking cover showing the smiling face of Dolly Dimples, a woman who’d lost 440 pounds after working as a “Fat Lady” in a carnival side show from 1927 to 1950. She had been recently recognized by Guinness Book of World Records as having lost the greatest amount of weight in the shortest period of time. Very scarce volume. Read More...
Color reproduction print, boldly hand signed in black marker across the image by the artist, and sold together with an original 8 x 10 inch color photograph of Warhol signing it for the original owner. Both in fine condition. Print measures 6.8 x 6.8 inches (17.5 x 17.5 cm). Read More...
Three autograph picture postcards signed (‘Od. Redon’, ‘Odilon R.’, ‘Od. R.’) from the French symbolist painter and printmaker who, in his words, wanted to "place the visible at the service of the invisible." Addressed to [Cyprian] (‘Cipa’) and [Marie Mathilde] (‘Madame’) Godebski, [Paris], postmarked 14 October 1903 - 2 October 1906. In French. Each postcard 139 x 91mm, showing scenes of Paris: the gargoyles of Notre Dame, the rue de Prony, and a fresco in the Hotel-de-Ville. Some water staining and mounting remnants, else fine. Provenance: Sotheby’s, 14 & 15 April 1982, lot 451. Read More...
23344. Elgar, Edward. (1857 - 1934). "The Dream of Gerontius" - Archive including AMQS and Signed Premiere Program
An intriguing and important archive focused around the composer's most celebrated work, including an autograph musical quotation in the hand of the composer, inscribed to one of the work's first performers; a very rare signed program from the famously disastrous premiere; autograph material related to some of the work's first and principal singer and conductor interpreters. Read More...
Signed glossy halftone photograph, boldly signed in fountain pen ink "T.S. Eliot" by the poet, essayist, publisher, playwright, literary critic and editor, considered to be one of the 20th century's greatest poets, as well as a central figure in English-language Modernist poetry. The photograph has evidently been cut from the front dust jacket of Eliot's 1962 The Complete Poems and Plays. 6 x 6.5 inches; 15.25 x 16.5 cm. Fine.
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...
Excessively rare original concert ticket, "Complimentary...Blind Tom Concert. Admit One" noting that "forfeited if sold or transferred" and with punch holes to the month of October and date of 28, the year 1877 printed upper right corner. Concert tickets are almost certainly by nature the most ephemeral type of concert ephemera. While "Blind Tom" concert programs and broadsides are indeed scarce, we have traced no examples whatsoever of performance tickets having appeared on the market. Mounting remnants to verso, else fine. 2 x 4.4 inches; 11 x 5 cm. Read More...
Original drawing, graphite on card, inscribed and signed by the artist "L'Ascoral-Colombie / le 19 Juin 47 Bogota / Le Corbusier" in blue ink. On the verso of a typed invitation on letterhead of "El Decano De La Facultad De Arquitectura," dated 17 June, 1947, inviting the recipient to the Le Corbusier conference "El Urbanismo Como Supremo Ordenador Social" at the Teatro Colón the following Wednesday. Unidentified name in pen to invitation side, in fine condition. 4.24 x 7 inches; 10.5 x 17.5 cm. Read More...
23313. [Phallic Art]. A Collection of Roman and East Mediterranean Phallic Amulets
A Collection of Roman and East Mediterranean Phallic Amulets, circa 3rd Century B.C.- 2nd Century A.D. Length of longest 2 inches (5.1 cm). Consisting of four in bronze and three in stone. Inspected under UV light and 10x loupe. One stone example restored from two pieces. Malachite patination on bronze. Encrustations, chips, and weathering throughout consistent with age. Overall in fine and stable condition. Provenance: Haddad Collection, New York; where acquired by the previous owner in the mid-1990s; Brooklyn Private Collection. Read More...
Engraved bust portrait, ca.1918, 5.51 by 7.87 inches. A trial proof before the unnumbered edition, Struck’s engraved signature as a Star of David, hand signed in pencil at left below the plate and identified right "Probdruck V 5/11" at right by the artist; signed and dated 1923 by Einstein in pencil lower right above limitation. Top edge of sheet lightly mounted to mat backing. Plate approximate measurement: 207mm x 147mm. Overall sheet: 314mm x 195mm. Very fine. Provenance: The Winfield Robbins print collection of Arlington, Massachusetts. Read More...
Albumen photograph of a highly amusing caricature of the composer, signed and inscribed by Rossini to the important French Mezzo-soprano, Rosine Stoltz (creator of Ascanio in Berlioz's Benvenuto Cellini, Marguerite in Auber's Le lac des fées, the title role in Marie Stuart, and two Donizetti heroines, Léonor in La favorite and Zayda in Dom Sébastien): 'Offert à ma brillante Interprete et aimable amie Rosine Stoltz, Gioachino Rossini, Paris, 26 Nov 1858" ("Offered to my brilliant interpreter and beloved friend Rosine Stoltz"). Ink inscription to mount below albumen print of the caricature by Étienne Carjat, depicting the composer cooking spaghetti. The print somewhat faded, some soiling and glue residue, else fine. Sheet measuring 8 x 12 inches (30.5 x 20.5 cm). Read More...
Uncommon signed Bruno of Hollywood photograph of the American big band leader, trombonist, and arranger during the 1930s and 1940s, best known for being one of the composers of the song "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You" (with Larry Stock and James Cavanaugh) and who was the first to record it in 1944. Signed and inscribed in 1949. Slight smudge to signature, else very fine. 8 x 10 inch (20.5 x 25.5 cm).
Uncommon signed photograph of the Russian-born movie and television actor who enjoyed a long career. Best known for his role as Sascha in the film Casablanca, it has been said he was given the role in part because he was Bogart's friend and drinking companion. A few surface creases in the upper section, moderate soiling along lower edge and some smudging to the inscription and signature, but nevertheless a quite attractive period example. 8 x 10 inch (20.5 x 25.5 cm).
Vintage matte finish doubleweight 11 x 14 inch studio portrait photograph of the Australian-American actor and one of Hollywood's greatest heartthrobs, who has signed, "Hello Bertha! / All the best / Errol Flynn", in blue ink. Light silvering along lower section, otherwise in fine condition.
Beautiful vintage 11 x 14 inch Paramount glamour portrait of the American actress, a star of film and television, pictured in a strapless gown and diamond necklace. Signed and inscribed in blue ink in the lower right corner. A few small surface chips and chips to edges and corners, overall fine. Read More...
Four issues of the influential experimental literary journal that featured Surrealist, Expressionist, and Dada art and artists, including literary, visual and musical contributions. Issues 24 and 25 with toning and moderate soiling to covers, some wear to edges, but overall fine; Issue 26 with more significant wear around edges and tears and separation along upper and lower spine; Issue 27 with chipping around the edges, toning and small stains to front and rear, spine paper torn and separating at head, with separation from front wrapper (still firmly attached, however); otherwise, all issues generally clean throughout. Read More...