Autograph postcard from the American painter, illustrator and sculptor. August 15, 1978. On a postcard of the illuminated castle in Heidelberg, he has penned: "Dear Steve, Not my work but I thought you might dig the picture. Happy days - Richard Artschwager." 5.75 x 4 inches (14.8 x 10.5 cm).
Glossy photograph still from the 1934 Hollywood film The Gay Divorcee,signed and inscribed in blue and black felt tip ink by co-stars Fred Astaire and Erik Rhodes to "Dana." Very fine. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Autograph letter from the Russian painter and scene and costume designer, known for his extensive work for the Ballets Russes. 1 p. June 21, 1915. To architect and art critic Frantz Jourdain (1847–1935), Bakst writes (translated from the French): "Dear maître, I am very touched by your kind letter and thank you sincerely. I will act according to your advice. Until then, please believe my devoted and cordial sentiments. Leon Bakst." In very fine condition. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.3 x 17.3 cm).
A short autograph note from the German composer, the half-brother of Clara Schumann who taught at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik and, with Brahms, edited the complete works of Schumann and Chopin. He has written a short request (translated from the German): "Please provide Mr. Beal with a room," and signed at the foot in pencil. Toning and mounting remnants; overall very good. 5 x 4.25 inches (13 x 11 cm).
Secretarial letter on behalf of the Scottish novelist and creator of Peter Pan to actor Monty Woolley. August 9, 1927. 2 pp., handwritten, on letterhead of the Stanway hotel, Cheltenham. Text, in full: "Dear Sir, Sir James Barrie directs me to thank you very much for your letter and expresses his great regret at the impossibility of his being able to leave England. He much appreciates the honor of the invitation and is so sorry not to be able to come to Boston. He is also very sorry not to be able to have the pleasure of meeting you, but he has left London for some time. Yours faithfully, C. Greene (for Sir James Barrie)." Toning and some light soiling; overall fine. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.5 x 17.8 cm). Read More...
Autograph letter. 4 pp. January 22, 1930. From the pianist and composer and pianist (and aviation instructor for the U.S. Armed Forces!), addressed to "My dear Miss Vermont." He details his recent employments, including as head of the piano department at the College of Music of Cincinnati, but notes that "unfortunately the climate was too hard for me there, and this forced me to leave this splendid position." He is seeking employment for the following year in California after he completes a concert tour in Europe. A little musty, but overall in fine condition and sold together with two different single-sheet NY Town Hall recital programs, each with an inset photograph of Barsukov.
Neatly penned autograph letter, one page, 5 x 6.5, no date but postmarked April 6, 1922. Addressed on the reverse in Dukas’s own hand to Henri Prunières and signed "Paul Dukas." The letter apologizes for missing a visit from the addressee and from "Monsieur Béla Bartok, whose acquaintance I would have been delighted to make. All the more so since I must respond to your kind invitation for Saturday. I have to be in Valenciennes on Sunday to help with the concert of the Societé du Conservatoire there. And if I don't take the train at 5:10 in the evening on Saturday, I will have to get up at 6:30 to leave on Sunday morning! So in this case despite all my regrets, I must excuse myself..." A scarce and rather charming letter from the French composer, critic, scholar and teacher best known for his "L'apprenti sorcier "(The Sorcerer's Apprentice) and his opera "Ariane et Barbe-bleue." Read More...
Signed postcard from the great Hungarian composer who has amusingly signed "B2" and neatly penned "Pozsony, 1902 dec. 31" and "Boldog Új Évet!" ["Happy New Year!"] to recto corners surrounding a raised relief-printed image of a pig in a horseshoe eating a four-leaf clover, meant to evoke luck. Verso addressed in his hand to the great violinist Adila Aranyi [Fachiri]. Fine. 5.5 x 3.5 inches (8.9 x 14 cm.). Read More...
Signed Christmas card from the violinist who was Concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra of Milan and brother of the legendary Italian pianist Arturo, wishing "I Migliori Auguri di Buon Natale e felice Nuovo Anno" and signed "Umberto Benedetti Michelangeli & famiglia." Fine. 7.25 x 3.5 inches (18.5 x 8.8 cm).
A short autograph letter from the French Romantic composer, addressed to the French journalist, music critic and music publisher Léon Escudier and thanking him for a "superb and warm" article about his works. Translated from the French, in full: "My dear Escudier (I believe it was Leon who was the author), I came to shake your hand and thank you for the superb and warm article. There has rarely been written on my compositions something which is so remarkable in its insights, and which has made me so happy. Yours, H. Berlioz." 1 p., with an additional cover page addressed to Escudier. No place, no date. One tear, some small chips, smudges, and toning; overall in very good condition. 4.25 x 5 inches (10.5 x 13 cm). Together with a later sepia postcard portrait of the composer, 5 x 7 inches (12.5 x 17.7 cm). Read More...
ALS from the Hungarian-born pianist and composer, who lived in Paris from 1837. To unidentified male recipient. 2 pp. In German. Small bifolium. Paris, rue neuve des Mathurins, January 22, 1847. In full: "Dear Sir, on request of my dear friend Berlioz, a letter about him and his Faust is following here. I would like to have it rendered without the slightest change, and I give you free rein after your best judgement. I would also ask for a number of the publication (through book dealers) in which you intend to have the letter printed. You may be so kind to correct the proofs and thus connect us to our friend Berlioz in the most lively manner. Receive, dear Sir, the assurances of my outstanding esteem with which I have the honor of being Yours very truly Stephan [!] Heller." The recipient could be Johann Christian Lobe, editor of Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung, which published a Berlioz issue later that year. 5.25 x 4 inches (13.5 x 10.5 cm). Read More...
Autograph letter from a M. Royer to French doctor and anthropologist Louis Bertillon. 1 p., n.d. ("Mercredi 28"). Translated from the French, in part: "My dear comrade, I saw Mr. Couneau this morning; he is leaving tomorrow morning; [...] please be at his house in Rue honoré 216, today at five. He will be awaiting you." Light toning; notes added in another hand; remnants of a seal to the verso; overall fine. 5.25 x 8 inches (13.4 x 20.8 cm). Read More...
21205. Bobesco, Lola. (1921–2003). Autograph Letter Signed to Colonel George Magherescu written on the occasion of her father's death.
Rare ALS from the Belgian violinist, a child prodigy who became internationally known as a teenager and whose virtuosity and pure lyrical expression earned her a place among the top international female performers, to Romanian Colonel George Magherescu. September 25, 1982; 2 pp. Seiguelay, August 27, 1933. The letter, written in Romanian, is mostly untranslated but begins rather strikingly: "I received everything you could tell me about my father's death. / Thank you so much for taking such an objective attitude. / I have nothing to do with Sna. Cic Bobescu anymore." Tape remnants along left edge, else in fine condition. 7 x 10 inches (18x 25 cm). Read More...
Original engraved printed visiting card of the great composer, giving his name and address "Johannes Brahms / IV. Karlsgasse 4." in printed script, inscribed with nine lines in the composers's hand. Dated 8 May, 1889, to an unidentified recipient, the note begins on verso, translated from the German: "Thank you very much for thinking of me so kindly at the Wartburg! I recently forgot to mention that I am going to Ischl for the summer - unfortunately your 'mountain trips' will not take you there!? - Hopefully the question mark applies." In lieu of signing, he has underlined his name in printed script on the front of the card. In very fine condition. 3.4 x 2.25 inches (8.6 x 2.7 cm.). Read More...
Printed visiting card from the great composer, one of the most important musical figures of the 19th century, who has inscribed in pencil to verso, translated from the German, "I am very sorry to miss you. My time is so busy! / Perhaps I will see you in the evening?" "Johannes Brahms / Wieden, Karlsgasse 4." printed to front. Diagonal creases to upper left corner, toning, else in fine condition. 3.75 x 2.25 inches (9.5 x 5.7 cm.). Sold together with a postcard photograph (corner clipped, else fine). Read More...
ALS of the German composer and conductor to the Hungarian violinist in Berlin. Dated Friedenau [now Berlin], February 25, 1897. In German. 1 p. (postcard). In full, translated: "Dear Joachim, a young, highly talented Belgian violinist, Mlle. Sylva from Brussels, whom I heard play on the Rhine in the summer, has sent me an inquiry that I cannot answer without having consulted you first. If it is convenient for you, I will visit you on Saturday morning around 9:45. If you have to leave before that hour, please send me a word. Cordially yours, M. Bruch." Read More...
Autograph letter from the important French critic and composer, known for his realist operas, ballets, and symphonies. Paris, July 2, 1924. Bruneau writes: "I will make every effort to go to the conservatory on Friday, but I do not yet know if I will find the time, because I am leaving Paris the next day..." 1 p. of a bifolium. In very fine condition. 4 x 5.25 inches (10.5 x 13.5 cm).
ALS in French, signed “Bunuel” to French New Wave actor Andre Labarthe, sending him a copy of the script of his new film and inviting him to be one of the small group of friends to see the film for the first time. One page, 8.25 x 10.5 (21 x 27 cm), February 5, 1964. Translated in full: "I returned this morning from the Alps where I had been traveling for a few days, not for sport but to get over a bad cold. I have for your review a script of Journal. I think the film could be ready to be seen next week. I will show it to five or six friends, including you two. I'll let you know a few days beforehand. It's for this reason that I'm giving you my script." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Bunuel's own hand, incorporating his name ("L. Bunuel") in the return address area. Read More...
ALS from the Italian tenor to [Ippolito] Canedi, letting the concert promoter know that he is available to perform from the Autumn through the following Lent. Milan, May 30 1845; 1 p. Campanini writes, translated in part from the Italian, "I advise you that I am free from Autumn through all of Lent, so if you go to Florence with me, you can hire me and I hope that this time it will do business." The recipient's address in London to upper right corner of verso. Expected mailing folds and light toning, else in fine condition. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.4 x 17.8 cm.). Read More...
19110. Capote, Truman. (1924–1984). Archive of Letters to his Spanish Translator, including one about "In Cold Blood"
An interesting archive including two autograph letters and an autograph postcard from author Truman Capote to Dr Ramon Garcia-Castro, who translated Capote's work into Spanish and also penned a critical volume on the author, "Truman Capote: de la Captura a la Libertad". The first letter (on stationary from "Gemini", the Florida home of "Swan" Gloria Guinness, 4 February 1964) reads: "Dear Senior Castro- Thank you very much for your kind letter. I very much look forward to reading your essay. With good wishes -- Truman Capote." The second letter (on Capote's own Tiffany & Co stationery, 30 April 1964) reads: "Dear Sir- Thank you for your letter. Yes, I received your book and was pleased to do so, through unfortunately my Spanish is so very poor that I cannot read it with any degree of real appreciation. However, a friend of mine, a student of Spanish literature, has promised to read it for me, and if you could send him a copy, I will give it to him. I have been working for five years on a new book; it is quite long (for me), but I expect it to be finished by September. I am very excited about it (usually I am _not_), and I hope you will like it. It's called "In Cold Blood." With good regards T. Capote." The postcard (postmarked Jun 17, 1968) reads: "When you arrive in the United States please let me know and I will be very pleased to see you. My address is 870 United Nations Plaza, New York, N.Y. Sincerely, T. Capote." Read More...