Group of five typed letters signed from the important Greek conductor to pianist Raymond Lewenthal, dated from 1948 to 1954 and concerning Lewenthal's performances, Mitropoulos' musical advice to the young pianist, and the aftermath of the vicious assault on Lewenthal in 1953. Complete contents listed below. Some light toning and folding creases; overall fine. Read More...
Three Leon Bakst Satin and Rayon Hooded Capes from "Papillons," ca. 1914. In fine condition, formerly property of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Read More...
Rare original engraving by Israel Silvestre of the first day of the celebrations of the "Plaisirs de l'Isle enchantée" at Versailles from May 7th to 14th, 1664. The highly detailed engraving shows a grove in the Versailles gardens, with servants carrying trays of food on their heads, and a large semi-circular table at the rear, at which are seated the King and other members of the court. Caption at the foot reads: "Festin du Roy, et des Reynes avec plusieurs Princesses et Dames servi de tous les mets et presens faits par les Dieux et les quatre saisons." ("Feast of the King, and Queens, with several Princesses and Ladies being served all the dishes and gifts made by God and the four seasons.") Some areas of light toning; small remnants of paper tape to the verso; overall very fine. 16.75 x 11 inches (42.7 x 28.2 cm). Read More...
Autograph note signed from the important Russian ballerina to composer Camille Saint-Saëns. On a postcard illustrated with a portrait of Tsar Nicholas II and his son Tsarevich Alexei, Preobajenska has penned an Easter greeting: "Joyeux Paques! / Olga Préobajenska." Postmarked St. Petersburg, March 1909. A remarkable item from the legendary Imperial Russian prima ballerina, who met Saint-Saëns in 1909 when she danced in his ballet Javotte in Paris. Very fine. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 13.5 cm). Read More...
Signed Walery of Paris vintage sepia postcard photograph of the legendary entertainer shown in a sexy costume, boldly signed "Josephine Baker" and dated 1932 in black ink. 10 x 15 cm. Corners nicked or creased, a few stray marks to margins, else in fine condition. Read More...
Three original contact sheets by photographer Burt Goldblatt, with a total of 23 rare images of jazz musicians Miles Davis and Gerry Mulligan. Two of the three sheets show candid portraits of Davis, who is seen playing, reading a magazine, and checking on a houseplant, as well as in several reflective poses; the third sheet shows Mulligan onstage with Miles and several other horn players, and the two talking backstage. Two of the sheets stamped on the verso; one with some markings to the images. Overall very good to fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.2 x 25.3 cm) and 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm). Read More...
New York: The Macmillan Company. 1936. Frontispiece portrait. xiv, 242 pages. 4to, publisher's cloth, moderate soiling and wear, backstrip sunned; light finger-soiling to contents; signed and inscribed on front free endpaper "To my friend Ben Zeller, Huddie Ledbetter." Signed first edition of the book which brought blues and folk musician Huddie Ledbetter to fame, published just two years after his release from prison and including transcriptions of many of his songs. Laid in are an original 5 1/2 x 4 1/4-inch photograph of Leadbelly captioned by photographer Ben Zeller on verso, New York University, 1 March 1936; and a sheet bearing 5 newspaper clippings on Leadbelly, 1935-36. Read More...
Autograph signature from the American blues shouter, bandleader and pianist, signed on a clipped program page with a half-tone photograph and a short biography of Rushing in German. He has signed along the left edge in blue ballpoint. On the verso, a further photograph of Rushing. Very fine. 7.5 x 8 inches (18.8 x 20 cm).
Group of signed programs from the Italian-born American soprano, known for her Verdi and Puccini roles. Included are programs from Peter Ibbetson at the 1960 Empire State Festival (16 pp.); Manon at the Metropolitan Opera on November 21, 1959 (signed over a page of advertising with a portrait of Albanese, 41 pp.); Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera on December 16, 1959 (41 pp.); and Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera on April 8, 1961 (37 pp.). Overall very good to fine. 6.5 x 9 inches and 8 x 11 inches.
London & New York: Ward, Lock & Co.. [ca. 1898]. 12mo. 160 pp.; illus. An interesting publication in two parts, the first dealing with medical problems of the throat, and the second with aspects of vocal pedagogy including the function of the larynx, types of singing voices, and proper and improper vocal function. Illustrations include an "oro-nasal respirator" and a "respiratory veil" recommended for those with delicate throats, as well as anatomical diagrams of the larynx and pharynx. Part of the "Long Life" series. Black-stamped publisher's cloth; small discoloration to back cover; faint traces of wear to corners and spine. Overall fine. 5 x 6.5 inches (12 x 17 cm).
Signed photograph of the legendary diva, who is shown in a portrait by Luxardo, wearing a black dress and pearls. She has signed across the image in red ink. Light edge wear; mounting remnants to verso; overall fine. 4 x 5.75 inches (10 x 14.7 cm).
Signed photograph of the legendary diva, as captured in a portrait by Vivienne. She is shown wearing a suit with a pearl fastening, and has signed and inscribed at the foot, dating 1964. Image somewhat discolored; some light surface wear; glue remnants to verso; overall very good. 6.5 x 8.5 inches (16.6 x 21.5 cm).
Signed photograph of the legendary diva, as captured in a portrait by Vivienne ca. 1964. She is shown leaning her chin in one hand and has signed at the foot in black marker, dating 1974. An excellent, crisp image and signature in very fine condition. 5 x 7 inches (12.6 x 17.8 cm).
Signed photograph of the legendary diva, who is shown in costume for the 1956 La Scala production of Giordano's opera Fedora. She has signed and inscribed across the image. Photographed by E. Piccagliani for La Scala and copyright-stamped on the verso. Mounting remnants to verso; otherwise very fine. 3.75 x 5.5 inches (9.5 x 13.8 cm).
Signed photograph of the legendary diva, who is shown in costume for the 1956 La Scala production of Giordano's opera Fedora. She has signed and inscribed across the image, adding "ricordo di Fedora." Photographed by E. Piccagliani for La Scala and stamped on the verso. Some light surface wear and fingerprints; overall fine. 5.25 x 7 inches (13.3 x 18.1 cm).
Signed photograph of the legendary diva, who is shown in costume for the 1956 La Scala production of Giordano's opera Fedora. Photographed by E. Piccagliani for La Scala and stamped on the verso. Mounting remnants to verso; overall very fine. 3.75 x 5.5 inches (9.5 x 13.8 cm).
Signed photograph of the legendary diva, who is shown in costume for the 1957 La Scala production of Gluck's Ifigenia in Tauride. Photographed by E. Piccagiani for La Scala and copyright-stamped to the verso. Very fine. 3.75 x 5.5 inches (9.5 x 13.8 cm).
Signed photograph of the legendary diva, who is shown in costume for Bellini's Il Pirata at La Scala in 1958. Callas has inscribed and signed across the image. Photographed by E. Piccagliani for La Scala and stamped by the theatre on the verso, with a further signature on the verso. Rather poor contrast to signature and inscription; overall fine. 4.25 x 5.75 inches (10.5 x 14.8 cm).
Signed photograph of the legendary diva, who is shown in costume for Il Ratto dal Serraglio (Mozart's Die Entführung aus dem Serail) at La Scala in 1952. She has signed at the foot in bold black marker. Photographed by E. Piccagliani for La Scala and copyright-stamped to the verso. Corner crease; tape remnant to verso; overall fine. 4 x 5.75 inches (10.4 x 14.6 cm).
Signed photograph of the legendary diva, who is shown in costume for La Sonnambula at La Scala in 1955. She has signed and inscribed across the image. Photographed by E. Piccagliani for La Scala and copyright-stamped on the verso. Mounting remnants to the verso; overall very fine. 3.75 x 5 inches (9.5 x 12.5 cm).