Original 1951 Armand of Havana photograph of the legendary entertainer shown in a sumptuous Christian Dior gown and gloves, boldly signed and inscribed in black ink "To Paul / Amicalement / et son devotee / Josephine Baker / 1963." In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.7 x 25.5 cm). Read More...
Fabulous early glossy 8 x 10 inch photograph of the great singer, known as the “First Lady of Song,” widely regarded as the finest jazz vocalist of all time. Attractive vintage glossy publicity photo signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “Best wishes Mathew Rutledge, Sincerely Ella Fitzgerald.” A few surface creases and spot of ink splatter, otherwise fine condition.
Highly uncommon AMQS by the American drummer, composer, arranger, and music director: 14 measures from London Suite, Part II, melody only, notated on one staff. Inscribed, "regards / Louie Bellson / 4/20/83." Sheet cut from 12-staff pad. 11 x 8 inches (28 x 20.5 cm). In fine condition. Read More...
An original sweat towel printed with an image of the Godfather of Soul and the name of his legendary song "Cold Sweat," and signed and inscribed by Brown in pink marker! He has inscribed the towel to a young fan with the words "Soul #1" and "Stay in school." 12 x 12 inches. In fine condition. Read More...
Pristine vintage glossy black and white promotional photograph of the great singer, known as the “First Lady of Song,” widely regarded as one of the finest jazz vocalists of all time. Signed and inscribed in fountain pen “To Paul / Best Wishes / Ella Fitzgerald.” In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.7 x 25.5 cm). Read More...
Signed candid shot of the American singer, dancer, actress and civil rights activist with a microphone, with an inscription aptly describing Horne as she is depicted here: "Life sometimes makes me look like I feel—on blues Monday." Oblong format, 8 x 10 inches (20.6 x 25.3 cm). Small creases upper left corner, else in fine condition. Read More...
Rare handbill for the American Negro Blues Festival at Fairfield Hall in Croyden, featuring Lightning Hopkins, Howling Wolf, Sleepy John Estes, Hubert Sumlin, John Henry Barbee, Hammie Nixon, Sugar Pie Desanto, Clifton James, Sunnyland Slim, Willie Dixon, and Sunny Boy Williamson. Mild wear and toning throughout, usual folds, else fine. 5.75 x 7.75 inches (14.5 x 17.8 cm.). Read More...
New York City Ballet souvenir program, boldly signed by Balanchine on his full-page photograph where he is shown seated with his cat, and by dancers Jacques d'Amboise, Melissa Hayden, Violette Verdy, and Arthur Mitchell on or opposite their respective photographs. Folio. 40 pp. Very fine.
Graphically striking vintage suitcase used as instrument case by the leader of the wonderfully named and unique traveling musical formation from the Hoosier state. The Spasmodic band were a group of oddballs who played bizarre music from homemade instruments in Mishawaka, a suburb of South Bend, Indiana. Write-ups of their gigs, generally house parties and boxing matches, in 1916 and 1917 can be found in the archives of the local paper. Included is a note explaining the original use of the case and its provenance: "This suitcase owned by Connel Yazel (1874-1972), the leader of this band, who lived at the Marion St. Mishawaka address. He was a member of the band from about 1896 until 1936, and could play multiple instruments, including the drums, harmonica, banjo, and guitar. He was famous in the area for balancing himself on a cut of broomstick and hopping around stage on it. Connel kept his band stuff in the suitcase. Information from his grandson, Roy Shamory, of Edwardsburg, Michigan." In imperfect condition, with a period make-do repair to the handle fashioned from a bolo tie. Read More...
1961 New York City Ballet deluxe souvenir program, boldly signed by Balanchine opposite his full-page photograph and by dancers Melissa Hayden, Violette Verdy, and Arthur Mitchell on or opposite their respective photographs. Folio. 36 pp. Very fine.
Pair of striking black and white photographs by Wolfgang von Wangenheim, later reproduced in the book "Danse Africaine" by Germaine Acogny. Gelatin Silver Prints ca. 1980, one of a female figure with upturned palms oustretched, the other, a male figure with arms extended. 8.75 x 11.75 inches. Each print initialed lower right. Each with surface creasing to the upper left quarter and to a lesser degree, center left, else fine. Provenance: From the Estate of Marcuse "Cusie" Pfeifer (1936 - 2020), founding member and president of the Association of International Photography Art Dealers. Read More...
Original souvenir program for a 1945 performance of Leonide Massine's Ballet Russe Highlights, featuring an attractive color lithograph cover by Marc Chagall and signed to two pages by acclaimed dancer Igor Youskevitch, who has penned his name below two halftone reproductions of Maurice Seymour portraits. 32 pp. In fine condition. 9 x 12 inches (22.9 x 30.5 cm.). Read More...
Three signed pencil drawings by the American Modernist painter, depicting a dancing figure, likely Isadora Duncan, who was his favorite subject. Each drawing signed at the foot by Walkowitz. Toned edges, a few short creases and tears. Each 10.5 x 7.75 inches (27 x 17.5 cm). Read More...
Original doubleweight photograph of the French dancer and choreographer peering through a stylized lyre, boldly signed in black ink with his name alone. 10 x 8 inches (25.3 x 20.2 cm). Ca. 1968, no photographer attribution. Corners slightly bumped, hard small crease lower right corner; else in fine condition. Read More...
Signed original photograph of the great American dancer in costume for an unidentified performance as part of her American Dance Quartet, with a stamp on the verso from The American Festival [Boston, 1960]. Lavallade has inscribed "To Paul / My very best wishes / and excuse my forgetfulness / Sincerely / Carmen de Lavallade." Corners worn with two small double staple holes upper left and right edges, else fine. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Paris: Éditions Raymond Duncan. 1929. First. Octavo. Softcover. 48 pp. Written by Isadora Duncan's brother Raymond. Significant wear to spine and cover, mostly separated, else in good condition. Together with a leaf of notes in an unknown hand regarding the visual arts. Read More...
ALS from the American photographer best known for her depictions of modern dance to a "Mr. Harris," regarding her greatest professional achievements. 1-23-69; 2 pp. on personal stationary. Morgan writes, in full, "Dear Mr. Harris: / Perhaps the greatest satisfaction of my photographic career is the carrying over of the art of photography into book form. I have conceived, written, photographed + designed my books: / Martha Graham, Sixteen Dances in Photographs / Dull, Sloan + Pearce, N.Y. –1941 / Summers Children, A Photographic Cycle of Life at Camp / Morgan + Morgan, N.Y. 1951 / A new revised edition of my Graham book is in process now. / It was also fulfilling to write seven articles on photography in the newest Encyclopedia of Photography – Pub. Greystone Press, N.Y.C. "Abstraction in Photography," Advancing Photography as Art, Dance Photography, Esthetics of Photography, Juxtaposition, Photo montage, Scope of Action. / I am now preparing a one-man show for the Smithsonian in Washington, and working on a new book which is primarily photographic. / Best wishes— / Mrs. Barbara Morgan / 1-23-69 / I am in 'Who's Who in American Art' - 1966. It is perhaps my greatest satisfaction in another dimension, that my two song, Douglas and Lloyd, are carrying on our photographic publishing firm–Morgan and Morgan, Inc. after the recent death of my husband from cancer." In fine condition. 7.25 x 10 inches (18.4 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Signed portrait of the American dancer, choreographer and teacher, a pioneer of modern dance, in a domestic setting, ca. 1970. Inscribed to Paul McMahon. Handstamp, "Martha Graham Dance Company by arrangement with Harold Shaw," to verso. 10.25 x 8 inches (25.8 x 20.5 cm). Borders very slightly trimmed, otherwise in fine condition. Read More...
Signed photograph of the American dancer, choreographer and teacher, a pioneer of modern dance, in profile and made up for performance. Inscribed to Paul McMahon. Handstamp, "S. Hurok presents Martha Graham Dance Company," to verso. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.4 cm). Two small bites to right and lower margins; in very good condition overall. Read More...
Superb original photograph of the great American dancer and choreographer, inscribed "To Paul / yours Geoffrey Holder" in black ink to the lower right corner. The photograph was taken by dance photographer John Lindquist, the longtime photographer for Jacob's Pillow. Photographer's stamp to verso. In very fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...