An attractive hand-colored copperplate engraving, ca. 1812, of the earliest upright piano, designed and built by Robert Wornum and George Wilkinson. In fine condition with an attractive mat. Page size 5.75 x 9.25 inches (14.4 x 23.5 cm), tipped to a window mat with total size 11.25 x 14.5 inches (28.5 x 36.8 cm). Read More...
An interesting group of letters from the leading violist of his time, a member of the London String Quartet and the NBC Symphony under Toscanini before embarking on an unprecedented successful solo career as violist. One ALS (2 pp., March 30, 1955) addressed to concert promoter Geraldo Uhlfelder, apologizes for Primrose's lateness in replying and asks to consider Uhlfelder's offer of South American appearances at a later date: "As things are I could not possibly consder coming to South America before 1956 at the earliest, so this gives us time to make arrangements." Two TLS to Uhlfelder's associate Werner Wagner (each 1 p., Dec 5, 1956 and July 19, 1958), also concern attempts to organize concerts in South America. In the first, Primrose writes: "I am deeply touched, I assure you, at your evident desire to have me in South America... However, I have already contracted to be, once more, at the Aspen Festival next summer. I am making tentative plans to visit Australian in 1958 and it might be possible to tie in South America at that time." In the last letter, Primrose writes that he has "overcome this neurotic fear of flying" and that "Mrs. Tillett has informed me that she is in the process of arranging a tour for me in South America... I hope you will be able to work out something with her." Hole punches and some light toning; overall fine. Read More...
Autograph inscription and signature from the great Russian pianist, who has penned a treble clef and six sharps, signing over the staff and dating below: Amsterdam, 1964. On a sheet of stationery from the Amstel Hotel, Amsterdam, folded to 7 x 5.5 inches (18 x 13.8 cm). Very fine. Together with a newspaper clipping on his Amsterdam performances, dated July 10, 1964.
Signed photograph of the great Russian pianist, shown in a half-profile portrait. He has signed "S. Richter" at the lower right, and added an additional larger signature and inscription to the verso, signing over a staff with a treble clef and two sharps. Another hand has dated in pencil at the foot: January 28, 1967. Some light foxing and surface wear, overall very good. 4 x 5.75 inches (10.5 x 15 cm.)
A rare signed photograph of the important American cellist and pedagogue. He is shown in an attractive studio portrait and has signed and inscribed at the left: "To Hazel Kerr / With all good wishes for a successful career," dating November 8, 1949. Photographed by J. Abresch of New York, with photographer's stamp to the verso. Slight tear to the upper edge and fingerprint to the upper right corner; otherwise fine overall. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.3 cm).
Original carte de visite portrait photograph of the important pianist, photographed by Herrmann Levinthal of Berlin. Notes in German to the verso; foxing; otherwise fine. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.5 x 10.2 cm).
Scarce original carte de visite photograph of the French cellist, known as the dedicatee of Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto no. 1, signed and inscribed on the verso. Tolbecque is shown holding his instrument (an unusual cello, perhaps converted from a viola da gamba or constructed by Tolbecque himself), and has signed on the verso, dating January 12, 1864. Photographed by A. Lombard. Light toning; overall fine. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.2 x 10.5 cm). Read More...
Original program from a concert of the great Spanish violinist with the Vienna Hof-Opern-Orchester on January 27, 1897. 4 pp. The program included Bruch's Violin Concerto no. 1, Joachim Raff's Suite for Violin and Orchestra, and Sarasate's own Carmen-Phantasie for Violin and Orchestra, the violinist-composer's most popular composition. On the internal pages and back page, further concerts in Vienna are advertised, including recitals of Clotilde Kleeberg, Eugen D'Albert and Sven Scholander, and performances of the Berliner Philharmoniker under Felix Mottl, Arthur Nikisch and Felix Weingartner. Heavy toning and folding creases, with a large horizontal split to the front page and overall in rather fragile, good condition. 9.5 x 12.5 inches (24 x 32 cm).
Autograph musical quotation from the German-Polish pianist, composer, and teacher, together with a cabinet photograph. On a small card, he has penned four measures of a theme from Liszt's Mephisto Waltz no. 1, inscribed to a Miss Auley and signed at the foot. The accompanying cabinet photograph, by Loescher & Petsch of Berlin, shows Scharwenka in a fur-collared coat. Both in very fine condition. AMQS 4 x 2.5 inches (10 x 6.3 cm); photograph 4.25 x 6.5 inches (11 x 16.6 cm). Read More...
Signed postcard photograph of the great Austrian violinist, who is shown in a promotional photograph for Deutsche Grammophon and has signed at the left, dating at the right: November 10, 1967. Fine. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (9.2 x 14 cm).
Postcard portrait of the American violinist and composer, boldly signed and inscribed to French violinist Marcel Chailley in "recognition of your personal and artistic kindness" and dated December 10, [19]30. Spalding is shown in a reproduction pencil portrait; another hand has added his name again at the head. In fine condition, mounted on a black album leaf. 3.25 x 5.25 inches (8.5 x 13.4 cm). Read More...
Pair of original press photographs, ca. 1974, of the Istomin-Stern-Rose trio in performance. The first stamped November 17, 1974, with press clipping reading: "Isaac Stern (left), Eugene Istomin and Leonard Rose will perform at the PAC Monday night," some light fingerprints and marks at the head, overall fine, 9.25 x 7.5 inches (23.7 x 19 cm); the second stamped April 26, 1975, with press clipping reading: "Members of the Istomin-Stern-Rose Trio, appearing at the PAC on November 18, are violinist Isaac Stern, pianist Eugene Istomin and cellist Leonard Rose," fine, 7.5 x 9.25 inches (19 x 23.8 cm).
Original 1933 concert program from a recital at Claremont Colleges, signed on the cover by violinist Joseph Szigeti and pianist Nikita Magaloff. The concert, on March 17, 1933, included Mozart's Violin Concerto no. 4 and Debussy's Violin Sonata in G minor. 4 pp. Losses to the upper corners and mounting remnants to last page, not affecting signatures; overall very good. 6 x 9 inches (15.3 x 22.8 cm).
Original carte de visite portrait photograph of the Polish virtuoso pianist, arranger and composer, shown in a small vignette portrait with one hand in his waistcoat. Notes in German to the verso; slightly unevenly trimmed with slight foxing; overall fine. 2.25 x 4 inches (5.8 x 10 cm).
Original carte de visite portrait photograph of the Polish virtuoso pianist, arranger and composer, photographed by Heinrich Graf of Berlin. Card somewhat toned with one scratch; otherwise fine overall. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.4 x 10.1 cm).
Signed portrait of the masterful French violinist, who is shown in a reproduction caricature sketch by Abel Faivre and has signed and inscribed in purple ink to his "old friend and dear colleague," violinist Marcel Chailley. Below his signature, he adds a note: "from age 20 to 40!"—suggesting the inscription dates from ca. 1920–1921. Thibaud is shown in a reproduction of a sketch signed and inscribed within the print from the artist to the "great artist and friend Jacques Thibaud." Slightly toned, irregularly trimmed and tipped to a mount; overall very good. 7 x 10.5 inches (18 x 26.5 cm), mounted to 8.25 x 11.75 inches (21.3 x 30 cm). Read More...
Original photograph of the masterful French violinist, signed with a long inscription to his friends, pianist Céliny Richez-Chailley and Marcel Chailley and dated Paris, May 1912. Across the foot of the photograph, Thibaud has penned (translated from the French): "Madame, that Franck quintet! You play it as a great artist! / You, my dear friend, you are another. With great friendship to Marcel and Madame Chailley." Photographed by Hänse Herrmann. Light foxing, some small chips at the lower left; mounted on a small black album leaf. 6.25 x 8.5 inches (15.8 x 21.6 cm), mounted to 6.5 x 9.5 inches (17 x 24.5 cm). Read More...
Autograph letter from the Spanish pianist who taught Francis Poulenc and premiered works by Ravel, Debussy, Satie, Falla and Albéniz, to music critic Arthur Dandelot, regarding his involvement in a benefit concert. Paris, January 4, 1911. Translated from the French: "Dear friend, I will be very happy to lend my participation to the concert on February 8 for the benefit of Madame Georges Marty. Is it with orchestra? Since I am leaving tomorrow for Lausanne, it will be on my return (the 8th or sometime on the 9th) that we can write to you for the present program. In any case, give me the details of the composition of the ensemble of the concert, and for my part I will respond when I return to Paris. Just don't make me begin alone (for in an ensemble it's another thing.) Yours, R. Viñes." 1 p., addressed and postmarked on the verso. Perforated edges with one small chip; overall in fine condition. 4.5 x 5.5 inches (11.4 x 14.3 cm). Read More...
119.
[Instrumentalists]
[Violin]. Art Deco Drawing
An attractive original ink and watercolor drawing in Art Deco style, ca. 1940, showing a couple being serenaded by a figure playing the violin, who appears to shed rays of light over them. Toning, foxing, and some wear to the upper edge; overall very good. 10.75 x 17.75 inches (27 x 45 cm).
Signed postcard from the American cartoonist and musician, whose work satirizes contemporary culture, often with the visual language of nostalgic American folk culture. The color postcard, of Crumb's work Fiddlin' Ian McCamy, is signed in the lower border in black ink, “R. Crumb.” In very fine condition. 4 x 6 inches (10 x 15 cm).