Summer 2018 Catalogue


Showing items 141 to 160

218 items in this catalogue total,
currently filtered to 218


141. [Opera] Kirsten, Dorothy. (1910–1992).
Signed Photograph with Autograph Letter

Signed photograph of the American soprano who had an illustrious career at the Metropolitan Opera, together with an autograph letter sending the photograph and mentioning her husband, John French, and his fight with Alzheimer's disease. She is shown in the photograph smiling in a casual portrait, and has signed and inscribed at the foot. Letter reads, in part: "Since you have followed me so closely I need to tell you that my beautiful career was suddenly interrupted shortly after my 30th anniversary at the Metropolitan Opera when my dear husband became a victim of Alzheimer's disease. At this point in my life I am dedicated to helping fight this dreadful disease as the enclosed brochure will explain." Glossy black and white photograph signed in blue ink; letter 2 pp. on her letterhead with some bleed-through; overall very fine. Photograph 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.3 cm); letter 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14 x 21.6 cm). Read More...

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Signed Photograph
Autograph Letter
Opera

142. [Opera] Ludwig, Christa. (1928–2021).
Signed Photograph in Falstaff

Signed stage photograph of the important mezzo-soprano in costume as Mistress Quickly in Falstaff, holding a pince-nez and handkerchief and smiling mischievously. She has signed boldly in silver pen. The role is identified on the verso. In very fine condition. 3 x 5 inches (8.8 x 12.6 cm).

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Signed Photograph
Opera

143. [Opera] Ludwig, Christa. (1928–2021).
Signed Program

An attractive signed program from the distinguished mezzo-soprano's 1972 recital at Queens College, New York. Ludwig is pictured on the sepia-toned narrow format program, and has signed boldly on the inside cover. Some wrinkling; overall in very good condition. 5 x 14 inches (12.7 x 35.5 cm).

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Signed Document/Item
Classical Music
Opera

144. [Opera] Munsel, Patrice. (1925–2016).
Signed Photograph

Glamorous signed photograph from the American coloratura known as the youngest singer to star at the Metropolitan Opera. She is shown posing on a stool and has signed boldly across the image. In very fine condition. 7 x 9 inches (18.6 x 23.2 cm).

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Signed Photograph
Opera
Two autograph signatures from the mother-and-daughter sopranos, with Emma Nevada adding a rebus as an inscription to violinist Florizel von Reuter. On recto and verso of two leaves taken from a small album, Mignon has penned: "To Florizel von Reuter, may his life be as happy and his career as brilliant as his wonderful talent..." dating Paris, April 7, 1909. On the next pages, her mother adds a long "Rébus" in French: "My first is a boy of exquisite simplicity / My second is a being who is all heart / My third is a young man full of intelligence, spirit, and charm / My fourth—the soul of an extraordinary musician, a marvelous talent / My all is a violinist-composer and concertmaster, a child gifted by Heaven, who I admired with enthusiasm and I love with sincerity", also dating Paris, April 7, 1909. We have not been able to decipher this rebus, other than to observe that Nevada was obviously an admirer of the young prodigy! Toning and some mounting remnants; overall very good. 4.5 x 5.25 inches (11.3 x 13.3 cm). Read More...

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Classical Music
Opera

146. [Opera] Nilsson, Christina. (1843–1921) [Albani, Emma. (1847–1930)].
Autograph Note about Emma Albani with Cabinet Photograph

Autograph note from the great Swedish soprano, penned on her visiting card, together with an original cabinet photograph. N.d. [ca. 1882–1887]. On a black-bordered card printed with her married name, Madame Christine Nilsson Rourard, she has penned: "Of course you must go and see Albani's Marguerite. Then you can truly give your opinion." The cabinet photograph, by Benque & Co. of Paris, shows Nilsson smiling, wrapped in a velvet shawl. Some light foxing and toning; overall fine. Card 4.25 x 2.5 inches (10.8 x 6.5 cm), photograph 4.25 x 6.5 inches (10.7 x 16.4 cm). Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music
Opera
Unsigned Photograph
Group of signed photographs and other autographs from several important opera singers of the mid-twentieth century. Included are: a typed letter signed from baritone Lawrence Tibbett to an admirer (1 p.; April 15, 1936); 2 signed photographs of bass Jerome Hines (identical 8 x 10 images, each signed at the foot with a different Bible chapter and verse); a signed first day cover from soprano Geraldine Farrar (commemorating the anniversary of the Smithsonian Institute and dated 1946); 2 signed photographs of Danish-American tenor Lauritz Melchior (4 x 6 and 8 x 10); 2 signed photographs of Melchior with his wife Kleinchen (6 x 8 and 8 x 10, the latter also showing their dog); a signed photograph (8 x 10) and a typed letter signed from Kleinchen Melchior (1 p., June 10, 1946). In fine condition overall.

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TLS
Opera
Signed Photograph
Archive

149. [Opera] Pavarotti, Luciano. (1935-2007).
Signed 1973 Carnegie Hall Program Page

Original program page signed by the great Italian tenor from his 1973 recital at Carnegie Hall with Eugene Kohn at the piano. The recital came shortly after Pavarotti's 1972 breakthrough role in La fille du régiment at the Metropolitan opera, and only weeks after his very first recital appearance in Kansas City, in which his nervous clutching of a handkerchief became his signature move. Pavarotti has signed boldly across the list of pieces, which includes works by Handel, Bellini, and Verdi.  The list of works continues on the verso.  In very fine condition.  20.4 x 25.5 cm.

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Signed Document/Item

150. [Opera] Pons, Juan. (b. 1946).
Signed Photograph as Scarpia

Signed photograph of the noted Spanish baritone, shown in his role as Scarpia in Tosca at the Teatro alla Scala. He has signed boldly at the foot. Glossy color photograph with copyright label from Lelli & Masotti to the verso, in very fine condition. 5 x 7 inches (12.6 x 18 cm).

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Opera

151. [Opera] Pons, Lily. (1898-1976) & Kostelanetz, André. (1901 - 1980).
"Romance in the Air" - 1937 Press Photograph

Original press photograph dated November 5, 1937, showing the glamorous coloratura soprano and her husband-to-be, the celebrated American "Pops" conductor, seated in a car and smiling. The original press caption on the verso speculates, "If Lily Pons and Andre Kostelanetz aren't married, or going to be, at least they're giving newspapermen inquiring into this constantly a swell run around." The two would marry in 1938. Some slight creases and stains; overall in fine condition. 22.8 x 17.8 cm.

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Unsigned Photograph
Classical Music
Opera

152. [Opera] Randegger, Alberto. (1832–1911).
Autograph Letter about Singing, with Postcard Photograph

Autograph letter from the Italian-born composer, conductor and singing teacher, best known for promoting opera and new works of British music in England during the Victorian era and for his widely used textbook on singing technique. November 20, 1900. 3 pp. Text, in full: "Dear Sir, All I have to say concerning 'the vexed question of voice production' I have clearly written in my Singing Primer, published by Messrs. Novello a few years ago—The fact that the publishers have sold over 140,000 copies of the book proves, to me at least, that it has been found useful to teachers and students—It would be better perhaps, if teachers generally would look upon singing as an Art, and not as a Science! More satisfactory results would be obtained—As to my mentioning the names of my successful professional pupils—it would be a breach of confidence were I to do it—besides it having the appearance of advertising myself—which I have never done in the whole course of my career—I regret therefore that I cannot consistently comply with your request." Together with a postcard photograph of the composer. Mounting remnants to the verso, light toning; overall fine. Letter 3.75 x 6 inches (9.8 x 15.2 cm), photograph 3.5 x 5.25 inches (8.5 x 13.5 cm).

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music
Opera

153. [Opera] Rubini, Giovanni Battista. (1794–1854) [Pasta, Giuditta. (1797 - 1865)].
Autograph Letter - "not being able to come to Milan...to visit the famous Pasta"

An interesting letter from the important Italian tenor, to his younger colleague, tenor Emmanuele Carrion, mentioning Giuditta Pasta and inviting Carrion and his family to visit him at his home in Romano di Lombardia. Romano, October 16, 1832. Translated from the Italian: "Dear Carrion, Not being able to come to Milan myself to go together, as we had intended, to visit the famous Pasta, [because of] the bad timing, and also finding myself somewhat indisposed, let these few lines serve to tell you that if you ever wish (as you had led me to hope) to come and spend a few days in Romano, there is a room and a warm welcome here for you. You need only tell me the day and the route of the train with which you will arrive in Treviglio [...] Please give my regards to your most charming mother, to Sig. Bussera, and a kiss to your little boy. With my esteem and admiration, your friend, Gio. Batt. Rubini." 1 p. of a bifolium, addressed on the verso to "Sig. Carrion celebre tenore" in Milan. Folding creases, small tear to the rear page repaired with tape, which has affixed the two pages together. Overall in fine condition for its age. 5.75 x 8.25 inches (14.8 x 21 cm). Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Opera

154. [Opera] Schumann-Heink, Ernestine. (1861–1936).
Signed Photograph

Signed photograph of the German-American contralto, who is shown with her members of her family in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and has signed boldly at the foot. The photograph has also been signed and inscribed at the upper right by Ferdinand Hirzy, Schumann-Heink's grandson-in-law, to the American-born violinist and composer Florizel von Reuter, and dated 1951. He has penned: "With admiration and devotion to a famous artist [...] and congratulations and God's blessing also to Mrs. Reuter..." We take the family members shown to be Schumann-Heink's granddaughter Ilse Heink Hirzy, her husband Ferdinand A. Hirzy and their children, shown ca. 1920's. From the collection of Florizel von Reuter. Lower edge unevenly trimmed; light toning; overall fine. 10 x 11 inches (25.5 x 28 cm). Read More...

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Opera

155. [Opera] Thorborg, Kerstin. (1896–1970).
Signed Photograph

Signed photograph of the important Swedish contralto, known for her Wagnerian roles. She has signed boldly at the foot in white ink. Photographed by Walter Bird, with stamp to verso and embossed stamp at the lower right. Loss to the lower left corner; buckled (could be pressed to flatten); overall good. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.3 cm).

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Signed Photograph
Opera

156. [Opera] Vickers, Jon. (1926–2015).
Signed Photograph in "Les Troyens"

Signed photograph of the powerful Canadian tenor in his role as Aeneas in Berlioz' Les Troyens. Photographed by Louis Mélançon for the Metropolitan Opera. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.6 x 25.2 cm). Together with a clipped article on Vickers, ca. 1992.

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Opera

157. [Opera] Vickers, Jon. (1926–2015).
Signed Photograph in "Queen of Spades"

Signed photograph of the powerful Canadian tenor in his role as Gherman in Tchaikovsky's Queen of Spades. Photographed by Louis Mélançon for the Metropolitan Opera. In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.5 x 25.3 cm).

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Signed Photograph
Opera

158. [Opera] Armstrong, Louis. (1901–1971) [Davis Jr., Sammy. (1925–1990)].
Original Photograph from the Collection of Sammy Davis Jr.

Original doubleweight photograph of the great American jazz trumpeter, singer and composer, from the collection of Sammy Davis Jr. Photographed by Davis' longtime manager, Jess Rand, Armstrong is captured in his white suit, singing directly into the microphone.  Dated 1954, at the Crescendo Club in Hollywood.  Slight wear to the edges but overall a crisp image in fine condition, with the photographer's stamp and Davis collection stamp on verso.  24 x 19 cm.

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Unsigned Photograph
Jazz

159. [Jazz & Song] Armstrong, Louis. (1901–1971).
Original Photograph Putting on a Catcher's Mask

Interesting original press photograph of Satchmo being helped on with a baseball catcher's mask by his wife. Press caption on the verso, dated November 10, 1957, reads (translated from Spanish): "The trumpeter Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong is helped by his wife to put on a baseball mask before breaking through an enormous crowd of his fans in the Argentinian capitol." Some wrinkles, verso with soiling and stamps; overall very good. 7 x 8.75 inches (18.2 x 22.2 cm).

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Unsigned Photograph
Jazz

160. [Jazz & Song] Bruguière, Francis. (1879–1945).
Original Jazz Revue Photograph

Striking original photograph, ca. 1930, from the American photographer best-known for his experimental multiple-exposure and abstract photographs. The photograph shows a scene from a jazz revue, with figures posing provocatively around a large piece of scenery depicting a face with horns. Gelatin silver print with studio stamp to the verso. One small loss to the lower right corner; some light edge wear and silvering around the edges; overall fine. 10 x 12.75 inches (25.2 x 32.7 cm). Provenance: The Collection of Ileana Sonnabend, thence by descent. Read More...

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Unsigned Photograph
Art
Jazz
Art & Design

161. [Jazz & Song] [Coltrane, John. (1926-1967)] Marshall, Jim. (1936-2010).
Original Photograph

Original 8 x 10 doubleweight photograph of Coltrane emotionally playing his tenor sax, by great music photographer Jim Marshall. In very fine condition, with the photographer's stamp and date on the verso. Read More...

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Unsigned Photograph
Jazz