Extraordinary and unusual studio portrait by the great American photographer known especially for his portraits of middle-class black families in Harlem. The present image depicts a woman playing a snare drum and a man balancing a cornet on his lips, the instrument neck painted by the photographer from the top of the arch on up, extending it to nearly surreal proportions, approximately the same length as his body. The woman's stare seems directed beyond him, an ever so slightly bemused smirk visible on her lips, as though perhaps she has tired of such antics. A master of dark room manipulation and painted effects, Van Der Zee frequently painted the backdrops and other enhanced effects on the prints themselves, both features of the present remarkable photograph. 5.75 x 8.5 inches (14.6 x 21.6 cm.). Signed in the negative and with two stamps from his studio on verso. Minor losses to the upper left and right corners (in the margins), 4 small pinpricks to corners/edges, very subtle lighter colored block along the left side, otherwise in fine condition. Read More...
Postcard print of one of Warhol's iconic Marilyn Monroe images, boldly signed in black marker at the foot by the artist. Monroe's face is rendered in shades of yellow and purple on a turquoise background. Captioned on verso, postcard printed by Fernand Hazan in France, ca. 1980. 4.5 x 6 inches (11.4 x 15.2 cm.). Read More...
Salzburg: Die Silberrose. [1962]. 46 pp. Signed volume of poetry from the Austrian writer, wife of pianist Friedrich Wührer. She has inscribed and signed on the half-title to American composer David Diamond and dated 1963. Together with a postcard photograph of Schloss Mühlfeld, the home of the Wührers. Very fine. 4.5 x 6.5 inches (11.4 x 16.4 cm). Read More...
An original carte de visite photograph of the American author, poet and editor who worked with several notable American writers including Edgar Allan Poe and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Photographed by George G. Rockwood of New York and on the original mount, with a caption on the verso: "This Photograph is COPIED from another picture, and must not be taken as a sample of our work direct from life." Lower edge slightly trimmed obscuring the photographer's name and with some scattered spots; otherwise in fine condition. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.3 x 10.1 cm).
187.
[Literature & Art]
Wright, Richard. (1908–1960). "The title of my lecture will be: 'NEGRO LITERATURE IN THE UNITED STATES.'" - Typed Letters Signed
Pair of TLS from the American author to the Associazione Culturale Italiana, and one addressed specifically to Professor Irma Antonetto, regarding an upcoming speaking engagement. First letter (Undated; 2 pp. on personal stationary) reads, in part, "The title of my lecture will be: 'NEGRO LITERATURE IN THE UNITED STATES.' / Will you please let me know if this title or topic will be suitable to you... I am at present recovering from illness and would like to spend some time at some warm place in southern Italy to recuperate. Is it possible for me to collect [the fee] of 100,000 french francs from you in Italy in lira or some other currency." The second letter (Jan. 9, 1951; 1 pp. on personal stationary) concerns travel arrangements from Paris to Turin. Two holes to left margin, else fine. Uncommon. Read More...
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Printed dinner invitation card from the Scottish-born inventor to Robert Simpson Woodward (1849–1924), President of the Carnegie Institute, with the purpose of the dinner, "To meet the Board of Managers of the National Geographic Society," neatly penned in an unknown hand above the body of the invitation, which reads "Mr. Alexander Graham Bell / requests the pleasure of / President Woodward's / company at dinner / Thursday February 20 / at seven thirty o'clock. / 1331 Connecticut Avenue." No year given, presumed ca. 1897 - 1903. Small impression to verso breaking through slightly to recto, else in fine condition. 4.5 x 3.5 inches (11.4 x 8.9 cm.). Read More...
Original visiting card from Prince Bernard de Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, the distinguished soldier who became a colonel in the service of the King of the Netherlands. He commanded the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Dutch Division at the Battle of Waterloo. Mounted on a fragment of an album page, with part of a collector's note in pencil at the right. Foxing and toning. Overall very good. Visiting card 3.25 x 2 inches (8.2 x 5.5 cm). Read More...
Group of twentieth-century autographs and memorabilia. Included are: signed card from Vidal Sassoon; autograph note from writer Nathalie Sedgwick Colby; signed photograph from evangelist Jerry Falwell; signed reproduction drawing of journalist Hannen Swaffer; signature from singer Jon Secada; signature from gossip commentator Walter Winchell; signed matchbook from Julie LaRosa; group of autograph letters in German from Liesbeth Belun to Bernhard Lange; signed album page from Duanne Nilsen; unsigned Map of Movie Stars Homes.