London: Ebury Press. 1991. First English Edition, 1st Printing. Hardcover with dust jacket. 8vo (16 x 24 cm), 181 pages. Signed and inscribed on the ffe in black ink, “To Janet / My Best / Dr. Nina Simone, Sept 19, 1991.” In fine condition, signed at the book's launch in London, Sept 19th 1991. The American edition was published the following year. In very fine condition.
Original signed contract for the song "Freedom Is Sweet," signed by the co-composers Duke Ellington and Willie "The Lion" Smith, as well as Duke's sister Ruth Ellington, representative of Tempo Music, Inc. Dated February 14, 1968. The song, part of Ellington's 1968 Second Sacred Concert, includes the charming lyrics "Freedom is sweet - on the beat- freedom is sweet to the reet complete. It's got zestness and bestness - sugar and cream on the blessedness." Ellington considered his three Sacred Concerts, a mix of jazz and sacred choral writing, "the most important thing I have ever done." 2 pp. In very fine condition. 8.5 x 13 inches (21.7 x 33 cm). Provenance: Duke Ellington Estate. Read More...
184.
[Jazz & Song]
[Studio 54]. Opening Night Invitation Poster
Rare opening night invitation to the legendary Studio 54, the studio's iconic logo taking up the bulk of the page. Poster reads: "The pleasure of your company/ is requested for the/ premiere of/ Studio Fifty-Four/ Tuesday evening/ the twenty-sixth of April/ nineteen hundred seventy-seven/ at eleven o'clock/ Attire-spectacular/ twelve dollars per guest/ Studio Fifty-Four/ 254 West 54th Street/ New York, New York 10019/ 212 489-7667." Metallic poster has fold lines, surface creases, small tears around edges, and water stains to back, but is exceptionally rare even in this condition. 18 x 24 inches (45.7 x 61 cm.).
Signed James J. Kriegsmann of New York photograph of the jazz trio consisting of guitarist Ware (1909–1974), pianist Luther Henderson (1919–2003), and bassist Sanford "Slim" Harewood, variously signed to George Gaber. "To George-/ A swell musician. Hold tight./ - Leonard," "To George: Lots of luck to a real musician/ Luther," and "10-9-43/ To George- Lots of luck and success in your future endeavor. Stay in the Groove/ Slim (Hey...)." Left margin very slightly trimmed, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Signed photograph of the American folk music quartet who sang traditional folk songs from around the world, as well as blues, gospel music, children's songs, labor songs, and American ballads, and sold millions of records at the height of their popularity. Light handling creases, small pinhole in upper margin, else fine. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Signed photograph of the influential orchestral leader and self-dubbed "King of Jazz," who has inscribed "For George/ Paul Whiteman." Unevenly trimmed along left side, toning to edges, light surface creases and dents, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Glossy 8 x 10 photo of Astor as Brigid O'Shaughnessy in the classic 1941 film noir directed and scripted by John Huston The Maltese Falcon, the image depicting her with Bogart. Signed and inscribed in blue ink and dated 1977. Very fine.
Original dinner menu from a dinner given by the Society of Arts and Sciences in honor of the American theatrical producer, impresario, director and playwright David Belasco, signed on the cover by Belasco and by the theatrical producer and manager Daniel Frohman. A half-tone photograph of Belasco is tipped to the front cover. 4 pp. on heavy card, in fine condition. 5.5 x 9.25 inches (14.2 x 23.8 cm). Read More...
New York: Arbor. 1973. First Edition . Signed copy of the book by actor, critic, director, and film historian Peter Bogdanovich with introduction by Harold Hayes. Bogdanovich has signed and inscribed ("For Paul— / May all your / "pieces of time" / be fine and light— / Peter Bogdanovich / 2/82") opposite the t.p. to Paul McMahon. 269 pp. Hardcover; dust jacket with wear and slight tears at corners; overall in fine condition. 5.5 x 8.5 inches (15 x 21.5 cm). Read More...
An original carte de visite photograph of the acclaimed 19th-century American stage actress known for her deep voice and tempestuous lesbian affairs, shown in later life. Photographed by a New York photographer and on the original mount, with the lower edge slightly trimmed obscuring the photographer's name, otherwise in fine condition. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.3 x 10.1 cm). Read More...
Three signed photographs of actors of stage and screen, including Olivia de Havilland and German actor Will Quadflieg, inscribed to American composer David Diamond. Included are a photograph of Olivia de Havilland with her young daughter (inscribed: "David, Affectionate best / Olivia); an original Foto Ellinger of Salzburg photograph of Will Quadflieg (inscribed in German at the foot to Diamond and dated Salzburg, August 11, 1949); and a further Hans Rama of Berlin signed photograph of a woman, inscribed: "To David—in remembrance of our living in sin together / Berlin Oct. 1964." Overall very fine. 3.5 x 5.5 inches to 5 x 7 inches. Read More...
Uncommon color scratch-and-sniff Odorama promotional card for the 1981 film Polyester, 11 x 5 inches, signed on the reverse in black felt tip, “Love, Divine" and "John Waters" in black ballpoint ink. Rather toned, otherwise in fine condition. Read More...
Signed photograph of "The Amazing Dunninger," one of the pioneer performers of magic on radio and television, who has inscribed "To my friend Geo Gaber/ Best Wishes-/ Dunninger." Dated by the recipient "10/56" in ink to lower margin, vertical creases to right, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
195.
[Film & Theatre]
Lollobrigida, Gina. (b. 1927). Signed Personal Story Magazine - "All about The Sex Bomb of the Screen"
Signed June 1955 magazine issue dedicated to the Italian film icon and filled with over "200 intimate pictures." Signature on front cover, along with a mailing address: "Via Appia Antica/ 223/ Roma". According to the original owner of the magazine, Lollobrigida wrote the address down because she had never seen an issue of this magazine before, and she wanted him to mail it to her at that address if ever he decided to part with it. 8. 25 x 11.5 inches (21 x 29.25 cm.), front and back cover detached with considerable losses along edges, body of the magazine in fine condition. Read More...
196.
[Film & Theatre]
Loren, Sophia. (b. 1934). A. E. Hotchner Book Sophia Living and Loving: Her Own Story - SIGNED
New York: Morrow. 1979. First Edition . Signed copy of the biography by A. E. Hotchner of the Italian actress from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Loren has signed and inscribed ("To Paul / wit[h] much ... loving / Sophia / 1980") on the t.p. to Paul McMahon. 256 pp. Hardcover; dust jacket with slight wear and tears at corners; overall in fine condition. 6 x 9.75 inches (16 x 24.5 cm). Read More...
An interesting collection of items from the important French mime, son and successor of the legendary Jean-Gaspard Deburau, including a signed portrait, autograph letter signed, several theater programs, a handwritten synopsis of a pantomime production, and a short monograph on the actor. Contents listed below. Read More...
Paris: Les cahiers de danse et culture. 1958. First. 152 pp. #138/2,280. The author's undated inscription is dedicated to Daniel Seillier (1926–2012), a ballet dancer and educator, and reads "A mon vieux Daniel Seillier enfin 1er danseur etoile./ Merci pour Serge Lifar/ Ton Jean Dorcy". Fine, 5.62 x 7.5 inches (14.3 x 19 cm.).
The inscription seems to indicate that Seillier had introduced the author in some capacity to the dancer and choreographer Serge Lifar.
Signed souvenir program from the touring 1959 Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth, with signatures from star Paul Newman and several members of the ensemble, including a young Rip Torn. 16 pp., 9 x 12 inches (22.8 x 30 cm.), light surface creases and wear along spine and edges, else fine. Read More...
200.
[Film & Theatre]
Radner, Gilda. (1946–1989). "Roseanne Roseannadanna's 'Hey, Get Back to Work!' Book" - SIGNED
New York: Long Shadow Books. 1983. First. Uncommon signed copy of this highly amusing book signed and inscribed by the early star of Saturday Night Live "To Richard,/ good wishes/ Gilda Radner". Paperback, 8vo, 128 pp. Evidence of some light water damage with rippling to covers and endpages, resultant ghosting of ink signature to the inside front cover, light scratches to covers, surface loss/tear to half title affecting two letters of inscription, else fine.
201.
[Film & Theatre]
Rivers, Joan. (1933–2014). "The Life and Hard Times of Heidi Abromowitz" - SIGNED
New York: Delacorte Press. 1984. First Edition . Signed copy of the book by the comedian, actress, writer, and television host, with illustrations by James Sherman. Rivers has signed and inscribed ("To Paul / Hugs + Kisses — / xxxx / Joan / Rivers") on the t.p. to Paul McMahon. 99 pp. Hardcover; dust jacket with slight discoloration and very small tear at edges; overall in fine condition. 5.75 x 8.5 inches (14.5 x 21.5 cm). Read More...