Paris: A. Leduc. 1942. First edition. Upright folio. Tome 1. 30 pages. A privately issued edition for the "Amis de l'Auteur," number 94 of only 100 examples printed on Alpha Navarre. A very rare publication from two years after the combat death of the influential French organist and composer.
Mills Music. 1933. Sheet music (quarto, 4 pp) for "Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin’ All the Time)," inscribed on the front cover in black ink by Harold Arlen, “To Danny Yates, Sincerely Harold Arlen”, signed in black ink by lyricist Ted Koehler, and inscribed by Rube Bloom, “P.S. good luck to Danny, Rube Bloom”. Creased and soiled, but with the signature intact. Read More...
The famous deluxe limited signed 1952 album set from the legendary dancer, signed and numbered (1339 of 1384) on the limitation page and additionally inscribed "Johnny from Fred ' 54" in blue ink. The binding slightly toned, front endpage partially separated, otherwise fine throughout, the records appearing to be in very good condition. Read More...
Signed autograph musical quotation from the American composer, pianist, and conductor who composed over 250 songs over his career. 4 measures from one of the composer's setting of Emily Dickinson, inscribed and dated 1985 on a sheet of music manuscript paper (21.5 x 27.5 cm). Together with a candid snapshot photograph. Read More...
Rare original prospectus program from the 1916 - 1917 US tour of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. The present program includes photographs of some of the principle dancers, including Nijinsky, as well as a magnificent two-page lithograph of Leon Bakst's set for "L'Apres-Midi d'un Faune." This particular program is from one of the two shows held at the Lyric Theater in Baltimore, Fri-Sat, November 17 & 18, 1916. Read More...
A rare autograph letter from the important ballet impresario and founder of the Ballets Russes. Autograph Letter signed, "Serge de Diaghilev." Addressed “Cher Maître" and concerning an introduction to Yvette Guilbert. 1 page, 8vo. Paris, Hotel Continental, 9th October 1922. Small tear at lower margin, else fine and attractively mounted with a reproduction photograph to 15.3 x 12.5 inches. In French, in full: "I ask you to please accept my most sincere thanks for the démarche [maneuver] you had the goodness to make with Madame Yvette Guilbert which has led to the desired result. Please accept, my dear Maitre, the expression of my distinguished sentiments." Read More...
A scarce original profile portrait sketch in black ink of the important ballet impresario and founder of the Ballets Russes, shown beside an unsually (for Larionov) stylized ballerina, with larger legs, smallish head and round breasts. Initialled "M.L." by the artist. Some wrinkling and water damage to the lower left area, not affecting the drawing and overall very good and well matted out of sight. Originally removed from a Larionov sketchbook of ballerinas. Pages measures approx. 12 x 18 inches. Read More...
One of the greatest rarities of ballet memorabilia, of which we have seen only a few other copies. An extremely fine original program from Nijinsky's shortlived "Saison Nijinsky," in London, just after his break from Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and from just before his rapid decline in health - physical and mental - which soon forced him from dance at the peak of his career and into to an asylum for the rest of his life. 10 x 12.5 inches. Heavy paper, bound in stiff wrappers with yellow string tie at spine, cover illustrated with a color portrait of the dancer. 11 pp. including four tipped-in striking gravure photographs of Nijinsky. Cover edges lightly nicked, but overall in very fine condition. Read More...
Vintage 9 x 11 inch photograph of the celebrated dancer in "Petrouchka." Irregularly trimmed, handling creases and wear, stamps and reinforcements on the verso. Nevertheless, a rare original period photograph. Read More...
Vintage cigarette card featuring a photograph of Nijinsky by Leiser. The verso printed with text in German, "Der künstlerische Tanz / Das Tanzgenie der Russen #169" etc. Issued by Eckstein-Halpaus, Dresden, ca.1933. 6 x 5 cm. In very fine condition.
Rare original 1916 silver gelatin photograph by Karl Struss of Nijinsky in Till Eulenspiegel. With credit stamp and copyright annotation in ink on the verso. 5 x 4 in. (12.7 x 10.2cm.) Read More...
London: Printed for the Authoress No. 8, Kennington Place, Vauxhall, to be had of J. Bland, No. 45, Holborn. [1795]. First edition. Eng. title (with ink counter-signature of Maria Barthelemon to lower outer corner); 2 pp. subscribers list; 20 pp. eng. music (numbered 1-3 and 5-21). Bound together with additional engraved music "The Christian's Consolation," "Before Jehovah's awful Throne" and "The Hymn of Eve" (both by Arne), and "Gems of Sacred Melody Selected from Celebrated Composers and Arranged for the Piano Forte by T.S. Smith" (London: Goulding & D'Almaine, 9 pp.). Also bound in are a number of pieces in manuscript: "Magdalen or Evening Hymn" (1 page), "Easter Hymn" (1 page), "Hymn to the Trinity"(1 page), "Hymn for Good Friday" (1 page), "I will arise" (1 page), "From Greenland's Icy Mountains" (3 pages) and 12 pages of music in manuscript titled "Brugnier's Third Dramatic Divertimento from Rossini's Airs / Arranged as a Duet for Two Performers on One Piano Forte / and presented to Mr. Brugnier by his Pupil Martha Wood." In fine condition, all bound together in brown marbled boards, quarter blue leather. Spine chipped, front joint splitting, boards worn, internally fine. Read More...
An interesting signed document from the important French dramatist and author, watchmaker, inventor, musician, diplomat, fugitive, spy, publisher, arms dealer, and revolutionary best known for his theatrical works, especially the three Figaro plays. One page, 4.25 x 6.5 inches, July 21, 1785. Together with a period portrait print. Read More...
Vintage Couesnon of Paris publicity photograph, signed in blue ballpoint ink by the innovative clarinetist and saxophonist regarded as one of the greatest wind players in the history of jazz. 8 x 14 cm, signature on the light side but fully visible, otherwise in good condition. Scarce.
Original concert broadside programme. Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane. Wednesday, March 1, 1815. "Leader of the Band...Mr. H. Smart. The Whole Under The Direction of Sir George Smart." 18.5 x 31.5 cm. In very fine condition. Read More...
New York: Columbia University Press. 1970. Oblong octavo. 18 facsimile pp. + 1-page introduction by Lewis Lockwood. Grey wrappers, a few small blemishes, overall very good.
Beautiful cast bronze bust of Beethoven, a later cast of the sculpture by Fix.-Masseau. Mounted on an exquisite brown marble base and in fine condition. Statue measures 10 1/4" H x 5 1/4" W x 4"D (25cm x 23 cm x 18 cm), 9 lbs ( 4 kg). Read More...
Paris: Marquerie Frères. Le 22. Février 1840. Without plate number. 108 pp. 4to, 27 cms. Kinsky-Halm, p. 163. Nicely bound in marbled boards with red gilt-stamped quarter-leather. A fine early copy of the full score to this great work, containing some of the composer's most beautiful writing. Scarce, OCLC lists only 3 copies worldwide.
Beethoven's Sixth Symphony in F Major was composed simultaneously with his Fifth, and they both received their premieres on the same concert at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna on December 22, 1808.
Münster: Aschendorff'sche Buchhandlung. 1842. First edition. xii, 178 p. fold. facsim. ; 23 cm. Includes facsimile of an autograph letter from Beethoven to Schindler, dated June or July, 1823 (Brandenburg no. 1687). Original front and rear wrappers affixed to contemporary boards with black cloth spine. Scattered toning, small tear to margin of final page, the facsimile with a number of clumsily repaired tears, else fine. Read More...
Collection of 81 programs and playbills from the French Belle Époque, ca. 1890 - 1900. Many in color with vivid illustrations. Includes a large grouping of small format programs issued by L'Illustration as well as programs and tickets from the Folies Bergère, Marigny Théatre, Casino de Paris, Jardin de Paris, Cabaret de Quat' z'Arts, Olympia, Théatre des Nouveautés, Nouveau Circque, Hippodrome, Almanach du Charivari pour 1896, etc. The many famous performers represented here include not only Bernhardt, Otero, Réjane and Hading, but also the famous lion-tamer Pezon (large broadside). The collection contained in a fragile album, some loose, many mounted with cellotape along one edge or rear wrapper. Mostly in very good condition, apart from mounting traces and usual creases. A remarkable collection.