An autograph signature from the great conductor on a funny illustrated postcard, showing a young woman waiting as a man works at a table with the sign (translated from the Italian), "We copy music and translate French." Toscanini has signed below the image and dated June 25, 1906. On the verso, the postcard is addressed to the Argentinian collector Ramona Imaz Otaño, with original stamp and postmark. Upper right corner perished but otherwise in very good condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 13.9 cm).
A bold clipped autograph signature from the great conductor, together with an original doubleweight publicity photograph. The signature has been dated 1937 in another hand. Mounting remnants on the verso and light foxing; overall in fine condition. Signature 4 x 1.75 inches (10.4 x 4.3 cm); postcard 8 x 10 inches (20.1 x 25.3 cm).
An original signed doubleweight photograph of the great conductor, inscribed to fellow conductor Dino Bigalli, chorus master of the Chicago Civic and City Opera company, and dated 1939. 8 x 10 inches. Mounting traces at the edges and tape on verso, small bend to upper right left corner and lower edge, else fine.
A black hooded cape with red lining, owned and worn by one of the most acclaimed musicians of the late 19th and of the 20th century, renowned for his intensity, his perfectionism, his ear for orchestral detail and sonority, and his photographic memory. He was at various times the music director of La Scala Milan, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Later in his career he was appointed the first music director of the NBC Symphony Orchestra (1937–54), and this led to his becoming a household name (especially in the United States) through his radio and television broadcasts and many recordings of the operatic and symphonic repertoire. The present striking garment comes by descent to his grandson, Walfredo and was acquired by us directly from his Estate.
Striking original doubleweight photograph of the great conductor on the podium, signed and inscribed on the verso to his friends Ralph Kux and Janina Kux-Richter and dated January, 1960. Photographed by Walter Strate, with his blindstamp lower left. 24 x 19 cm.
Signed photograph of the great conductor, with a lengthy inscription in German on the lower mount in memory of "music in Hollywood," dated 31.8.1941. Walter has added an autograph musical quotation of four measures of the trumpet fanfare solo in B flat from Beethoven's Leonore Overture no. 3 to the upper left corner of the photograph. The mount and inscription in very good condition, the photograph itself very heavily spotted and stained. Signed also by the photographer in pencil, lower right. 19.5 x 24.5 cm; 24 x 33 cm including the mount.
Original bronze sculpture, ca. 1960's, by the American artist known for her vividly characterized sculptural portraits. Titled "High Note," the piece depicts an amorphous female figure, her head upturned and her mouth open in song. Bronze, mounted on a rotating wooden base. Signed and numbered "H. Blair, 2-10" at the foot of the sculpture. Label of the C. G. Rein Galleries on underside of base. Original patina, some pits and tarnish to bronze; some scratches to base. 16.25 x 5.25 inches at widest point, without base. Read More...
150.
[Opera Singers]
Callas, Maria. (1923–1977). Autograph Letter on her Calling Card, mentioning Traviata
Autograph note to an unidentified recipient on both sides of her printed visiting card. Ca. 47 x 84 mm., with "Maria Meneghini Callas" printed to recto. One corner very slightly creased. "Dear friend – I am terribly sorry but Saturday is taken with my rehearsal of Traviata. Please call me and we will see each other if possible after the 6th. Thank you and best regards." Read More...
151.
[Opera Singers]
Callas, Maria. (1923–1977). Beaded Drawstring Bag from the Callas Collection, together with the volume "Souvenirs d'une Legende" in which it is illustrated
Paris: Calmels Chambre Cohen. 2000. Small drawstring bag in black silk, embroidered with jet beads in an arabesque pattern with small circles, from the Collection of Maria Callas. Some wear, minor losses, else fine. Ca. 1910 - 1915. Illustrated as Lot 234 in the accompanying large 4to volume in French and English, picturing and describing all 417 lots offered for sale in December 2000 in Paris by Calmels Chambre Cohen, including letters to Callas, reviews and magazine cover stories she had collected as well as antique furniture, paintings and domestic objects, corsets, nightgowns, dresses, hats and shoes, pyrex kitchen wear etc.!! Includes introduction and lengthy descriptive articles on the collections, photographs mostly in color. Gorgeous 415 p. catalogue/book with jacket, both very fine.
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:OperaEphemera
Paris: Calmels Chambre Cohen. 2000. Large 4to volume in French and English, picturing and describing all 417 lots offered for sale in December 2000 in Paris by Calmels Chambre Cohen, including letters to Callas, reviews and magazine cover stories she had collected as well as antique furniture, paintings and domestic objects, corsets, nightgowns, dresses, hats and shoes, pyrex kitchen wear etc.!! Includes introduction and lengthy descriptive articles on the collections, photographs mostly in color. Gorgeous 415 p. catalogue/book with jacket, both very fine.
A rare and amusing postcard printed with a joke about the 1906 scandal surrounding the great tenor. Printed on the cover is the question "Where did Caruso touch the lady?"; a window in the cover opens to show a monkey in a cage with the punchline, "In the monkey house." Overall toning; two slight splits to the fold and a small tear at the corner of the window flap; otherwise in very good condition overall. 3.25 x 5.5 inches (8.5 x 14.3 cm). Read More...
Clipped autograph signature from the great Russian basso, who has elegantly penned: "Souvenir of Chaliapin, 1937." Slightly smudged, with light foxing and mounting remnants on verso; overall in very good condition. 3.25 x 2 inches (8.3 x 5.2 cm).
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:SignatureOpera
Signed photograph postcard of the great Russian bass, dated June 1914 (though a note on the verso suggests May 30, 1914). Photographed by Leiser of Berlin. Bold signature and excellent overall condition. 3.5 x 5.25 inches (8.8 x 13.7 cm).
Early signed and inscribed color-tinted photograph of the late great German baritone, lieder specialist beyond compare. 8.5 x 13.5 cm and in very fine condition.
A desirable signed doubleweight original Barzacchi photograph of the honey-voiced tenor as Radames in Verdi's Aida, boldly signed and dated 1929 in black fountain pen ink and in crisp, very fine condition. 4 x 5.75 inches. Read More...
Original signed matte sepia photograph of the great Italian tenor, who was regarded at the Met as Caruso's successor in dramatic roles. Boldly signed and inscribed at the foot to Siegfried H. Kahn and dated May 1936. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.3 cm).Siegfried H. Kahn was a member of the famed New York Bohemian Club and a famous host of musical parties in the 1920's and 30's.
Original portrait photograph of the important Czech soprano as Octavian in Rosenkavalier, boldly signed and inscribed at the foot with a crisp AMQS from the opera: "Wie du warst, wie du bist." Dated December 24, 1989. One slight mark in the lower margin; otherwise in very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.3 cm).
A large and beautifully composed album with 26 pages of autographs of opera singers, conductors, and other musicians, including Marian Anderson, Salvatore Baccaloni, and Jussi Björling, collected in the late 1940's at the Metropolitan Opera. Each page has been carefully arranged with the name of the artist printed in white on black paper, a clipped signature, a clipped portrait, and in many cases a Polaroid of the artist on the evening of the performance. Many of the signatures are dated and the roles played are indicated. Unfortunately, several of the signatures have been traced over in pen (see below). Included are 10 further loose clipped signatures, two further clipped portraits, 4 excellent candid Polaroids of stars, and a concert program. In a large embossed cream faux-leather photograph album bound with a cord, in very fine condition. A lovely record of some of the most important opera performers of the mid-twentieth century. 15 x 11.5 inches (38.2 x 29 cm). Read More...
An attractive original menu from a dinner given on April 11, 1915, in honor of the great coloratura soprano known as the "Polish Patti," star in more than 450 performances at the Met. The cover features a red and white ribbon alongside a medallion with an image of Sembrich and her facsimile signature; on the internal pages, the menu is printed below an elaborate engraving of a landscape, surrounded by ribbons bearing the names of her operas. The officers and board of governors of the New York Musicians' Club in 1914-1915 appear on the back cover. Some light edge wear; overall in fine condition. 9.75 x 13 inches (25 x 33 cm).
Original signed Mishkin of New York photograph of the great coloratura soprano known as the "Polish Patti," who sang in more than 450 performances at the Met. Elegantly signed and inscribed at the lower right to the pianist and composer Sigmund Herzog and dated April 1917. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20 x 25.3 cm).