Holiday 2023 Catalogue

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195 items in this catalogue total,
currently filtered to 195




1. [Beethoven, Ludwig van. (1770-1827)].
Pink Ivory Pass to First Quartet Cycle Performance

Rare and important ivory ticket pass to the London Beethoven Quartett Society where the monumental String Quartets were first performed as a cycle.  Handpainted on pink-stained ivory, the pass reads "Honor to Beethoven," the chair number "55", and "Quartett Society."  37mm, 4.38g.  Crack to center, else in fine condition.    Read More...

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Ephemera
Classical Music

2. Berlin, Irving. (1888-1989).
Original Photograph in "Song Coat"

An amusing vintage photograph of the composer in a coat of song titles, musical top hat and "God Bless America" oversized bow tie, apparently in a club membership induction ceremony at "the Astor, fixed up like [N-word] Mike's Bowery bar, where Berlin began his career as a singing waiter. Announcer and bartender: Tony Sarg, cartoonist." Edges nicked, stamps and clippings on verso, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20 x 25.5 cm.).

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Unsigned Photograph
Song

3. Beuys, Joseph. (1921–1986).
In Memoriam George Maciunas: Klavierduett - SIGNED

Berlin: Edition Block. 1982. In Memoriam George Maciunas. 1931 - 1978: Klavierduett. Fluxus-Soirée der Galerie René Block in der Staatlichen Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. Double LP, GR-EB 113/114, signed to the front cover by Beuys in pencil. Two 12-inch vinyl records, cover: 12 1/4 × 12 3/8" (31.1 × 31.4 cm). Very fine.   Read More...

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Book
Art & Design

4. [Bird Music] Van Wickede, F. (?–?).
[Canary breeding] Kanari-Uitspanningen / Of nieuwe verhandeling van de / Kanari-Teelt,... Nieuwe verbeeterde en vermeerende Druck... Vierde Druck

Amsterdam: Steven van Esveldt. 1773. Fourth Edition. A book in Dutch on canary breeding as a hobby.  Upright 16mo in contemporary marbled boards.  Letterpress.  Front endpaper, frontispiece with engraving by N. van Frankendaal (1720–1791) of a canary breeder at work (verso blank), title with copying prohibition and publisher's signature to verso, preface [3 fol.], new preface to 4th edition [1 fol.], [1]–131 [132] pp.  Woodcut vignette on title, woodcut headers.  Two signatures in ink to front endpaper, the first illegible; the second is "Charles Schicksal."  Notes and scribblings in English, in pencil, to insides of boards.  Label with withered number to upper board.  6.5 x 4 inches (16.2 x 9.8 cm).  Lower edge uncut. Slightly dampstained; boards worn and somewhat soiled; else in fine condition.  In an elaborate modern, custom-made case covered in brown morocco with raised bands and gilt lettering.   The volume is quite rare, with only two copies in any 18th century edition recorded by Worldcat outside of the Netherlands (France and Germany).  Read More...

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5. Bonarelli, Prospero. (1588–1569) [Callot, Jacques. (1592–1635)].
Il Solimano. Tragedia.

Firenze: Pietro Cecconcelli. 1620. First edition. Small 4to. (160 x 215 mm). 1f. (pictorial title including the arms of the Medici), 1f. (dedication to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo II), 2ff. ("Lettera del Sor. Giovambatista Strozzi all'Autore"), [v] (letters to Ottavio Rinuccini, Andrea Salvadori, Niccolo Strozzi, and Gabriello Chiabrera), [i] (cast list), [ii] (set design), pp. 3-31, [ii] (set design), 41-63, [ii] (set design), 65 - 94, [ii] (set design), 95 - 138, [ii] (set design), 139 - 162, 1f. (recto errata, verso colophon). With occasional decorative initials and woodcut head- and tailpieces and including 6 etchings by Jacques Callot (cf. Meaume) comprising the illustrated title-page, and 5 double-page plates representing the stage settings by Jacques Callot after the designs of Giulio Parigi. With the usual pp. 33-40 misnumberedd 41-48 and p. 89 misnumbered 98. Trimmed margins, but overall a very bright and fresh copy of this early 17th Century "Turkish" opera. Berlin Katalog 4112; Brunet I, 1089;Cicognara 1086 ('bellissime figure, prove freschissime); Gamba 1810 ('Tra le molte edizioni di questa tragedia e' la presente molto ricercata per la vaghezza delle figure'); Lieure 363-368; Sartori 22249. Allacci 729-730. Schaal 861. Wotquenne p. 132. Read More...

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Printed Music
Opera

6. Britten, Benjamin. (1913–76) & Holst, Imogen. (1907 - 1984).
'Corpus Christi Carol' - Autograph Musical Manuscript

Autograph fair copy musical manuscript in the hand of the composer, six pages on two sets of adjoining sheets, 6.75 x 10, January 19, 1961, signed and inscribed on the cover sheet in fountain pen "For John Hahessy, Corpus Christi Carol, (from 'A Boy was Born'), Benjamin Britten," similarly inscribed and titled and initialled "BB" at the head of the first page of music and signed again in full "Benjamin Britten / Jan. 19th 1961" at the conclusion. Britten has penned the music and lyrics for the complete song across five pages of three systems each, voice and piano, dedicating it to John Hahessy, a boy soprano who worked with Britten often and premiered several of his works and who went on to become a tenor performing under the name John Elwes. Sold together with a musical manuscript of the vocal part only that was used by John Hahessy to learn his part for the premiere, penned in the hand of Imogen Holst, the only child of Gustav Holst, herself a composer, arranger conductor, teacher, musicologist and musical administrator. Holst worked as Britten’s assistant from the early 1950s until 1964; she taught and coached the young boy soprano, John Hahessy, on the Corpus Christ Carol for the premiere. Both with very light foxing but overall in fine condition.  Read More...
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Classical Music
Opera
Signature

7. Cage, John. (1912–1992) & Hansen, Al. (1927 - 1995) & Kaprow, Allan. (1927 - 2006) & Vostell, Wolf. (1932 - 1998).
Collaborative Drawing from the Kunstlaboratorium Köln, 1986

Original drawing in ballpoint pen in blue on wove paper, accomplished and signed by John Cage, Allan Kaprow, Al Hansen, and Wolf Vostell as well as dated 1986 by Al Hansen. The outline of the face, eyes and nose appear to be accomplished by Cage, whose signed name "John Cage" constitutes the nostrils, beneath which Allan Kaprow's name composes a mustache over a mouth, while the figure's hair is clearly accomplished by Hansen, whose name and title outline the head "Al Hansen Kunstlaboratorium Köln." In a lighter, rather faded ink, "Vostell" forms the right eye. Previously exhibited in “The Art of Collecting” at the Museum Kunst Palast Düsseldorf Foundation, 2007. In fine condition.  7.8 x 10.5 inches (26 x 19.5 cm).   Read More...


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Classical Music
Art & Design
Art
Autograph Document

8. [Civil War] [Sampler].
"Charity: An Ode" - Impressive Civil War Musical Sampler by a 21 year old Woman

A remarkable and highly unusual large musical sampler, recording a detailed musical score across two open "pages", with five systems of a presumed vocal line over keyboard, each consisting of approximately 11 measures and the final of which identified as the "Chorus." 25 x 35.5 inches (63.5 x 89 cm) framed, 16.5 x 24 inches (42 x 61 cm) without. Titled at the head Charity: An Ode and identified as By J. Sampson and dated 1842, a year which may have coincided with a date near the birth of the identified maker of the present sampler, Elizabeth Langham, who has signed the embroidery at the foot "Aged 21" in "1863". One area of staining, unexamined out of frame, likely backed in some way, but in otherwise apparently fine condition.  We have been unable to trace any examples of a sampler of this kind.  Read More...
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Art
Civil War
Ephemera

9. Copland, Aaron. (1900–1990).
Copland Conducts Copland: Appalachian Spring - SIGNED

Signed 1974 Columbia Masterworks – M 32736 record Copland Conducts Copland – Appalachian Spring (Complete Ballet), First Recording Of The Original Version with Columbia Chamber Orchestra, boldly signed in black ink on the back of the sleeve and dated 1978. In very fine condition. 12 x 12 inches (20.8 x 30.8 cm).    Read More...
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Classical Music

10. Debussy, Claude. (1862–1918).
Monsieur Croche Antidilettante

Paris: Dorbon. 1921. First Edition. The first and only authorized, if only posthumously published collection of the French composer's reviews.  In French.  Small folio.  Original wrappers.  145 pp.  Signature and date in French, "Lila Nyffenegger 1er janvier 1924."  10.25 x 7.75 inches (26 x 19.5 inches).  Upper right corner slightly bumped; spine minimally frayed; else in fine condition. Read More...

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Book
Classical Music
France

11. [de Falla, Manuel. (1876–1946)] Roland-Manuel, Alexis. (1891–1960).
Manuel de Falla

Paris: Cahiers d'Art. 1930. First Edition. Numbered copy (no. 522 out of 990) of the first important French biography of the Spanish composer.  Small quarto.  Original wrappers.  64 pp. plus four pages with plates. Original wrappers wrapped in onionskin paper.  9.75 x 7.5 inches (25 x 19.2 cm).  In excellent condition.

Roland-Manuel studied with Ravel and became a friend of his.  He later taught at the Paris Conservatoire.

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Book
Classical Music

12. Gershwin, George. (1898–1937).
Porgy and Bess

New York: Gershwin Publishing Corporation. 1935. First edition, second issue. The Theatre Guild presents Porgy and Bess. Libretto by Du Bose Heyward Lyrics by Du Bose Heyward and Ira Gershwin Settings by Sergei Soudeikine Orchestra Conductor Alexander Smallens Production Directed by Rouben Mamoulian. [Piano-vocal score]. Small folio. Original publisher's stiff printed grey wrappers with black cloth spine. 4ff. (photographic portrait; r. title, v. woodcut illustration of donkey pulling a man in a cart; r. Index of Scenes, v. Cast of Characters; r. Story of Porgy and Bess, v. dedication), 559 (music), [i] (blank) pp. Fuld p. 539. First Edition, second issue with the index of songs but still without the capitalization of "Negro," in the fourth line of the story. Light toning to covers, small tear to upper edge, overall an unusually fine copy overall of this rare score. Read More...

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Printed Music
Opera

13. [Handel, George Frederic. (1685-1759)] Burney, Charles. (1726-1814).
An Account of the musical Performances in Westminster-Abbey, and the Pantheon, May 26th, 27th, 29th; and June the 3d, and 5th, 1784. In Commemoration of Handel.

London: Printed for the Benefit of the musical Fund; and sold by T. Payne and Son. 1785. First Edition. Upright quarto.  Modern vellum imitation boards with brown morocco label to spine and gilt frame and lettering.  Confusing pagination: pp. vii, [1], xvi, 8, *8, 9-20, *19-*24, 21-56, 21, [6], 26-41, [6], 46-90, [5], 94-139, [3], with the frontispiece and seven other engraved plates, two of them offering stunning views of Westminster Abbey during these vast concerts, and one being a full plan of the orchestra.  11.25 x 8.5 inches (28.3 x 21.8 cm).  Scattered foxing; boards and spine somewhat worn; some pages stained to lower edge, five of which small losses in the stained area, but otherwise a good copy.  Rothschild 544; Hazen, pp. 30-33; Chapman and Hazen, p. 161; Fleeman, p. 1570 (85.2BH/1a). Read More...

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Printed Music
Classical Music

14. [Hungarian Music] Bartók, Béla. (1881–1945) & Kodály, Zoltán. (1882–1967) & Busch, Fritz. (1890–1951) & Fischer, Edwin. (1886–1960).
Hungarian Composers and Musicians Signed Payment Receipts Collection

Autograph collection of Hungarian musicians and composers signed payment receipts ("I gratefully acknowledge that today I received..."), 1916 - 1932, both in pencil and pen, 13 pieces, including items signed by Bela Bartok (for a performance with Ernest Ansermet), Zoltan Kodaly (2x), Edwin Fischer, Imre Kálmán, Fritz Busch, Pongracz Kacsoh, Bela Zerkovitz (4x), Lajos Bardos and Sergio Failoni (who was, of course, Italian, but was the leading conductor of the Budapest Royal Opera House). The four oldest ones toned and with chipping, otherwise generally fine. Approximately 7 x 4 inches (19 x 12 cm).

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Signature
Classical Music

15. Janacek, Leos. (1854 - 1928).
Autograph Note on Visiting Card

Autograph note from the Czech composer, musical theorist, folklorist, publicist, and teacher considered one of the most important opera composers of the first half of the 20th century. 6 lines in Czech on the verso of the composer's printed visiting card, untranslated, sold together with the stamped and addressed envelope. In fine condition. 4.5 x 3 inches (11.7 x 7.8 cm)
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Signed Document/Item
Classical Music

16. Kern, Jerome. (1885–1945).
Signed Check to a Stenographer

Signed check penned and signed by the highly regarded American songwriter best known for the musical Showboat and for such standards as “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” Personal check, 8.25 x 3 inches (21 x 7.7 cm), filled out and signed by Kern, “Jerome D. Kern,” payable to the stenographer firm of Tausig & Lewis for $159.00, September 14th, 1939. Check is endorsed on reverse by Tausig & Lewis. Expected cancellation holes just slightly affecting the signature, generally fine.

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Signed Document/Item
Song

17. Liszt, Franz. (1811–1886).
Metamorphic Postcard Portrait

Ca. 1900  metamorphic postcard portrait of Liszt with facsimile autograph. The composer's face is composed of variously posed naked female bodies. 5.25 x 3.25 inches (13.5 x 8.5 cm.). Crease lower right, writing in an unknown hand in ink to verso, else fine.

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Unsigned Photo
Classical Music

18. Paganini, Nicolò. (1782–1840).
Gravure Portrait Print after Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Gravure print of an illustrated portrait of the violin virtuoso, shown holding his instrument.  The title "Portrait de Paganini (Collection de M. Ach. Benouville)" is printed beneath the portrait, which is after an original work by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres.  Printed by Eames for the Gazette des Beaux-Arts ca. 1880.  Mild toning to edges and small loss to upper right corner; overall in fine condition.  6.75 x 10.25 inches (17 x 26 cm.).

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Ephemera
Art
Unsigned Photo/Portrait

19. [P. D. Q. Bach] Schickele, Peter. (b. 1935).
Signed Photograph and Program

Photograph and concert program, each signed by the American composer, chiefly known as the inventor of P. D. Q. Bach and the music published under that name.  Photograph with the caption "P. D. Q. Bach" is an upright portrait of the fictitious composer wearing a Bach-style wig, inscribed "For Danny, Howie, Stacy,+ Lynne, who obviously can't tell good music from bad music / Peter Schickele"; imprint of Vanguard Records to lower right corner. It is not known whose face poses as P. D. Q. Bach's here (it is not Schickele's). 8 x 10 inches. Small pinholes to lower edge, mounting remnants and toning to verso, else in fine condition.  Together with a single page (recto/verso) from a 1967 NYC Lincoln Center "Eventing with P.D.Q Bach" program, featuring some of Schickele's most humorous works, including the "Schleptet," "Sonata for Violin Four Hands and Harpsichord" and "The Stone Guest (A Half-Act Opera)".  Left edge torn, else fine. 

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TLS
Classical Music
Signed Photograph
Signed Document/Item

20. Poulenc, Francis. (1899-1963) .
Autograph Note to Yevgeny Gunst

Brief ALS in French, signed “Poulenc,” one page, 5.25 x 4, no date [circa 1948], from "Noizay," a handwritten letter to the Russian composer and music essayist Yevgeny Gunst, in full (translated): “With the amount of my debt - I will see you soon dear sir." In overall fine condition. Accompanied by an original vintage 2.75 x 2 contact sheet photo of the French village Ecurie, annotated on the back by an unknown hand. Read More...
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Signed Photograph
Classical Music