181.
[Jazz & Song]
Smith, Kate. (1907–1986). "I thank God every moment for the great gift He gave me" - Typed Letter Signed
Typed letter signed from the popular singer, best known for her rendition of Irving Berlin's "God Bless America." May 17, 1966. Smith reports on her busy schedule and writes that she is "finding great satisfaction in my personal and professional life." Smith had converted to Catholicism in 1965. Folding creases with one slight edge tear at the right; overall in fine condition. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.7 x 28 cm).
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:TLSSong
Signed sheet music wrapper from the important jazz pianist, one of the masters of the stride style. On the cover of his song "Fussin' " he has inscribed, apparently to jazz pianist Milt Raskin: "to my Pal / a fine fellow / and a real / jazz artist," and signed "Lion." Inner pages of music missing; wrapper includes only advertising and the final page of music. 4 pp. total. Stamped by Milton Raskin at the upper edge of the cover. Read More...
183.
[Jazz & Song]
Vaughan, Sarah. (1924–1990). Original Handwritten Lyrics for songs by George and Ira Gershwin in Spiral Bound Notebook
Incredible collection of handwritten lyrics, penned by Ms. Sassie herself, the great jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan. These handwritten lyrics were used by Vaughan in her live performances. The notebook also contains personal "To-Do" lists as well as some very personal and humorous notes including flight information, computer research and even reminders for her to "Order Ham." Originally purchased from the estate of Sarah Vaughan Estate, and including a copy of the original auction catalog. Read More...
Paris: M. de Brunoff, editeur, 32, rue Louis-le-Grand. [1909-21]. A beautiful bound volume of special issues and supplements to the Parisian theatrical periodical Comoedia Illustré chronicling the 1909–1921 seasons of the Ballets Russes, with many photographs and full-color illustrations relating to the legendary ballet company. A selection of souvenir programs (published as supplements to the magazine) and extracts from the magazine are arranged in chronological order; interspersed leaves with texts by V. Svetloff (Russian critic and biographer of Anna Pavlova) give further details of each year's productions. Ownership inscription of Osborne Robinson and exhibition loan details on front free endpaper, some marginal dust-soiling, original green silk-covered boards with pictorial inlay (from The Firebird) by Natalia Goncharova, rebacked in green morocco, modern cloth. Graphically interesting endpapers covered in the names of important Ballets Russes figures. Most pages unnumbered; over 200 pp. total. Four leaves with clipped and mounted prints and hand-written captions appear to be the addition of the previous owner, and are partially detached; binding otherwise sound. Binding somewhat sunned, with later restored spine and slipcase. Overall in fine condition. 10.25 x 13.5 inches (26 x 34 cm). Read More...
Special number of the Parisian cultural magazine, focusing on the 1911 season of the Ballets Russes. No. 298, Mai (II) 1911. The decorative cover features a color image of Tamar Karsavina as the Firebird; featured inside are more photographs from The Firebird, including a frontispiece with Michel Fokine and Alexis Boulgakov as the frightening Koschei; a set design for The Firebird by Leon Bakst; photographs of Nijinsky in Scheherezade, Sophie Fedorova in Cleopatra, Fokine and Fokina together in costume, and Ludmilla Schollar curtseying in a tutu; and further texts and photographs on the theatre and opera performances of the season. 24 pp. Front wrapper detached, with a large diagonal tear affecting the image, and heavy edge wear to the front and back wrappers; internally fine; overall good. 11 x 14 inches (27.5 x 35.3 cm). Read More...
Paris: Manzi, Joyant, & Cie.. 1909. Special number of the Parisian cultural magazine, devoted to the Saison Russe of 1909. No. 249, Mai (I) 1909. The decorative cover features a color image of Nijinsky and Anna Pavlova in Le Pavillon d'Armide; featured inside are photographs of Feodor Chaliapin in Rimsky-Korsakov's Ivan the Terrible; Michel Fokine, Vera Fokina, Tamara Karsavina, Vera Karalli, Pavlova and Nijinsky, and other singers, actors, and dancers of the Russian companies; and set designs by Roerich and Golovine. 24 pp. Front wrapper detached with some edge wear; back wrapper lacking; internally in fine condition and overall very good. 11 x 14 inches (27.5 x 35.3 cm). Read More...
187.
[Dance]
[Burlesque]. "Hot from Harlem" - Original Burlesque Poster
Graphically striking original poster for a "Hot from Harlem" burlesque show, put on at the Shore Theatre of Milford, DE on Sept. 16, 1957. The striking poster features images of three African-American burlesque performers, advertised as "Brown Skin Beauties That Are A Treat!", "Newer Than New - Dancing That Sizzles - Excitable Music" and "Hotter Than Hot!!!" Some light water damage to the edges and upper center; pinholes at corners and upper margin; overall very good. 22 x 28.5 inches.
A very fine original postard photograph, signed by the great Russian dancer. One corner dinged, otherwise excellent. 9 x 14 cm, sold together with the original transmissal envelope. In very fine condition. Read More...
Signed photograph of the Italian ballet dancer and actress, particularly acclaimed for her interpretation of Romantic ballets. Dated on the verso: July 27, 1981. Matte print, boldly signed in blue marker at the lower right. In very fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.1 x 20.2 cm).
A short original quotation written in Stepanov dance notation by the Russian dancer and choreographer and signed below, together with a short autograph note in English, reading: "Return and I'll put it in Matisse book unless you want it elsewhere." Both written in pencil, slightly soiled and worn, but overall very good. 2.75 x 8.5 inches (7 x 21.5 cm) and 2.25 x 4.25 inches (5.7 x 10.7 cm). Read More...
192.
[Dance]
[Nijinsky, Waslaw. (1889-1950)]. Antique Gold Vessel, Presented to Nijinsky after the Premiere of Debussy's "Jeux"
An antique gold vessel and cover presented to the great dancer and choreographer after the premiere of Debussy's Jeux in 1913. Designed as a stylized urn, the vessel bears the presentation engraving: "Vaslav Nijinsky/Jeux/Theatre des Champs-Elysees/le 15 mai, 1913" above a pair of crossed tennis rackets and a tennis ball. Solid 14K gold with maker's mark. 9 inches (23 cm) high. Deaccessioned from the collection of the Metropolitan Opera Guild, for whom it was purchased by Mrs. John E. Long, in memory of Lily O. Pforzheimer. Read More...
Amusing large original doubleweight photograph of the American comedian and radio personality, shown stopping his ears while colleagues George Burns and Gracie Allen sing at the piano. Press stamps on the verso. Some light edge wear but overall in very fine condition. 10.5 x 13.5 inches (26.5 x 34 cm).
Secretarial letter on behalf of the Scottish novelist and creator of Peter Pan to actor Monty Woolley. August 9, 1927. 2 pp., handwritten, on letterhead of the Stanway hotel, Cheltenham. Text, in full: "Dear Sir, Sir James Barrie directs me to thank you very much for your letter and expresses his great regret at the impossibility of his being able to leave England. He much appreciates the honor of the invitation and is so sorry not to be able to come to Boston. He is also very sorry not to be able to have the pleasure of meeting you, but he has left London for some time. Yours faithfully, C. Greene (for Sir James Barrie)." Toning and some light soiling; overall fine. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.5 x 17.8 cm). Read More...
An original linoleum cut print of the the great American entertainer (playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and producer!), captured by American caricaturist and artist Alfred Frueh. As published in Frueh's collection Stage Folk, Cohan is shown in his trademark boater hat, swinging his cane. Signed in the plate at the lower left. Thin paper attached to a same-sized mount with overall toning, but otherwise in fine condition. 8.25 x 12.5 inches (21.1 x 31.7 cm). Read More...
Original oversized ticket to the 1956 premiere of the epic Western "Giant," directed by George Stevens and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean. The ticket displays its original price of $100 ($97.50 of which was a donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Associations of America.) The verso of the ticket displays the seat number. Card stock with a few light chips to the edges; overall in fine condition. 11 x 6 inches (27.7 x 15.2 cm). Read More...
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Autograph letter from the English actress of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, best known for her roles in Shakespeare and English comedies. October 22, 1930. Kendal promises music critic Herman Klein that "I will certainly see your picture" and invites him: "Can you come to tea on Sunday 26th & have a chat." 3 pp. on a small bifolium. One vertical tear to the first page; overall very good. 2.75 x 4 inches (7 x 10.5 cm).
Six cards and letters from Sir Laurence Olivier and one letter from Sir John Gielgud, all to Mia Farrow, leading American actress, singer, fashion model and now UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The typed and handwritten letters from Olivier date from 1974 and 1975, with one later letter from 1983, some discussing possible performance opportunities for Mia Farrow. The handwritten letter from Gielgud, dated October 15, 1980, refers to a performance and his enjoyment of meeting both Farrow and Woody Allen. From the collection of Mia Farrow. In fine condition overall. Read More...
Signed statement about acting from the Mexican-American actor, painter and writer. The typed document, with several autograph corrections, reads: "An actor is an explorer of man's behavior. And though in his search he may only witness greed, lust, and cruelty, we demand of him a reaffirmation of our beauty, greed and nobility. The actor has always tried to comply. In ACTORS TALK ABOUT ACTING he is at it again... smiling reassurance; forever hopeful; forever optimistic. Even if men refuse to act like Gods, the actor will go on acting like one. I am sincerely proud to belong to the 'tribe' whose only flag is 'The Dream.' " Quinn has signed boldly at the foot. Toning and some light foxing; one corner crease; overall fine. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm). Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:TLSTheaterFilm
A rare TLS from the Indian filmmaker and author, widely regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century. November 20, 1977. Writing to the editors of Dover Publications in New York, Ray enquires about the copyright to the comic strips "Dreams of a Rarebit Fiend" by Winsor McCay, with a view to publishing them in a Bengali version: "I find these early comics of such extraordinary inventive brilliance that I am most anxious to acquaint my young readers with them." Folding creases; overall fine. 7.25 x 10.5 inches (18.4 x 27 cm).
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:TLSFilm