An interesting group of letters from the important Spanish singer and vocal pedagogue to his friend and colleague Herman Klein, regarding a controversy over baritone Victor Maurel and the coup de glotte technique. After Maurel attacked the technique, a hallmark of García's pedagogy, in a public lecture in July 1892, García and Klein were briefly involved in a battle of opinion in the pages of the London papers. The present letters represent the correspondence from García to Klein on the matter. Full details below. 5 letters in total, with one enclosed text. Toning, rough edges, one sheet with losses at the center fold; overall in very good to fine condition. Read More...
204.
[Opera]
Garcia, Manuel. (1805–1906). Autograph Text of a Speech to be given at his 100th Birthday Banquet
Original autograph speech in the hand of the important Spanish singer and vocal pedagogue, apparently written to be given at a banquet in honor of his 100th birthday on March 17, 1905. Garcia thanks the attendees of the banquet for "the honor that has been conferred upon me," continuing: "I see a generous encouragement addressed by one of the leaders of modern thought to an artist who has striven to cast upon his studies the light of science." He mentions his work with the laryngoscope, before thanking the committee for a gift. (Full text below.) Undated. 2 pp. of a bifolium, identified with a note in pencil in another hand (likely that of Garcia's friend and colleague, Herman Klein) along the left side of the first page. Overall toning, some light smudges and soiling; overall very good. 6.5 x 8 inches (16.3 x 20.4 cm). Read More...
An attractive signed J. Abresch photograph of the popular basso remembered for his stage presence and stentorian voice in roles such as Sarastro and Ramfis. Hines has signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint "To Marge and John with my sincerest regards" at the upper right. Photographed by Abresch of New York. Glossy print mounted on heavy card, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.1 x 25.5 cm).
206.
[Opera]
McCormack, John. (1884–1945). "Hurrah for Cork and the rest of Ireland" - Autograph Quotation Signed
Autograph quotation signed from the Irish tenor celebrated for his performances of the operatic and popular song repertoires. On a small album leaf, he has signed, dated July 17, 1922, and penned below: "Hurrah for Cork and the rest of Ireland." Amelita Galli-Curci has signed on the verso. Together with a reproduction Mishkin photograph. 14.5 x 11 cm. Fine. Read More...
Signed postcard photograph of the powerful Swedish soprano as Tosca at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. She has signed boldly in blue marker across the photograph. Poor contrast to the signature, with one horizontal crease; otherwise fine. 4 x 5.75 inches (10.4 x 14.7 cm).
An original Reutlinger of Paris CDV photograph of the great soprano, described by Verdi as perhaps the finest singer who had ever lived. Light spotting to the image, otherwise in fine condition. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.3 x 10.5 cm).
Signed photograph of the American coloratura soprano, a recipient of the National Medal of Arts who was noted for her 35-year association with the Metropolitan Opera. She is shown smiling with her face upturned and has signed and inscribed at the lower left. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.2 x 25.4 cm).
Signed photograph of the great Brazilian soprano, one of Brazil's leading musicians and a frequent performer at the Met in the 1930's-50's. Halftone photograph, signed and dated Paris, Mayt 18, 1955. In fine condition. 4.25 x 6.5 inches (11.1 x 16.4 cm).
From the collection of Monique Paravicini Simon (1916-2003), who was active in the world of dance and involved in the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo.
Striking original doubleweight matte finish photograph by G. Maillard Kesslere of the great Italian tenore di grazia, elegantly signed and inscribed at the left and dated 1923. 8 x 10 inches. Small tear to left margin, corners nicked, else fine.
Signed halftone program photograph of the great Russian-born British soprano. She is shown in a dramatic fur stole and pearls, and has boldly signed across the corner of the image. 9 x 11 inches. Read More...
Original 1967 Italian FDC honoring the great conductor's centennial, boldly signed by opera stars Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, and Mario Del Monaco. Stamped, postmarked March 25, 1967, and addressed by typewriter, with a blank card inside in the envelope. In very fine condition. 6.5 x 3.75 inches (16.3 x 9.4 cm).
An interesting early-20th-century catalogue of theatrical postcards published by the Viennese company Postkartenverlag Brüder Kohn. The catalog contains thumbnail images of 720 available postcards, depicting actors, singers, and other performers of the era. 36 pp. Softcover; loose leaves hole punched and bound with cord, with remnants of a cloth spine present. Internal edge of each page reinforced with archival tape. Overall toning with some areas of soiling and wear, especially to the covers. Overall in very good condition. 6.25 x 9.5 inches (16 x 24 cm). Rare. OCLC records only 1 copy worldwide and we have found no record of any others at auction or within the trade. Read More...
Early signed photograph postcard of the Spanish theatre, film, and television actor, shown as a child in an ornate Indian costume. He has signed with his stage name, Narcisin. Embossed at the lower left with the photographer's stamp of F. Bixio Gay, Buenos Aires. In very fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.5 x 13.6 cm).
Signed photograph of the French stage and film actor, whose career on the stage and in films lasted approximately thirty years. In very fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9 x 14 cm). Read More...
Very rare original program from the March 24, 1933 Hollywood premiere of the classic horror movie King Kong at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The booklet features a striking green and gold design with many photographs throughout and a programme of the evening's events mounted to the inside of the front wrapper. The evening's festivities included a live performance "Conceived and staged by Sid Grauman" featuring a "Chorus of Dusky Maidens and African Choral Ensembles." 24 pp. Original stiff green paper wrappers, onion-skin first and last leaves with "King Kong" in gilt and green lettering. Wrappers detached, 5 inch split along spine crease, small damp stain along one edge of front wrapper and first few leaves, corners a touch bent; overall very good. 12.25 x 9.5 inches. Read More...
Reproduction photograph of the poster for the iconic 1959 comedy, hand signed by its two stars, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, and by its director, Billy Wilder. Marilyn Monroe is shown playing the ukulele in a rather impractical position, flanked by her adoring "bosom companions" in drag. Glossy print with slightly irregular margins, otherwise in very fine condition with excellent bold signatures. 10 x 8 inches (25.3 x 20 cm). Read More...
Painted paper mâché mask of Marilyn Monroe from the collection of former Beatle, Ringo Starr. Some paint chipping around the mask, else fine. Approximately 10 x 8 inches. Read More...
Clipped signatures from the legendary actress and important American playwright, who had a tumultuous marriage from 1956 to 1961 and who collaborated on her last film, The Misfits. The two clipped signatures, both in blue pen, are mounted on recto and verso of a small album leaf. Light toning to the edges of the leaf and slight creases and small losses to the outermost parts of the signatures; overall in fine condition. 5 x 3.75 inches (12.9 x 9.6 cm).
An interesting autograph album containing signatures from stage and screen personalities including Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Rod Steiger, Sidney Poitier, Oskar Homolka, Paulette Goddard, and many others. Collected ca. early 1960's by the critic and photographer Paul McMahon. 45 signatures in all, including autographs from actors Cloris Leachman, Donald Cook, Dermot McNamara, Elspeth March, Helena Carroll, John Randolph, Helen Seamon, Margot Stevenson, Liliane Montevecchi, Paulette Goddard, Anne Bancroft, Polly Bergen, Oskar Homolka, Rod Steiger, Joanne Woodward, Paul Newman, Jeanne Crain, Constance Bennett, Jan Murray, John Forsythe, Madeleine Sherwood, Sidney Blackmer, Rip Torn, Geraldine Page, Sidney Poitier, Jack Prince, Merritt Thompson, and Scott Brady; opera singer Rise Stevens; opera and Broadway singer Heidi Krall; Broadway costume designer Alvin Colt; choreographer and director Marc Breaux; and many further unidentified signatures, most inscribed to the collector. Light internal toning but overall in fine condition. 6 x 4.5 inches (15 x 12 cm). Read More...
222.
[Film & Theatre]
Angelou, Maya. (1928-2014). Early Signed Photograph and Movie Poster for "Miss Calypso"
Signed photograph of the important poet and civil rights activist, in her early years as a dancer and singer, together with an original movie poster from her 1957 film Calypso Heat Wave. Angelou has inscribed the photograph to her friend and roommate Phoebe Wray (Phoebe Rae Gregory) a fellow actress, screenwriter, author, poet and human rights advocate: "Phoebe Rae I will accept nothing but the best. You're capable of it. My Love, Maya." Angelou is pictured between two unidentified men, holding their hands, in this image from around the time of the film. Read More...