Lengthy inscription and bold signature from the elegant Viennese pianist on the verso of the LP cover to his 1960 Schubert Impromtus recording. Dated May, 1964, he inscribes "To George --, one of the rare 'Schubert birds, in common admiration for this genius. Paul Badura Skoda." Fine.
Signed program from a January 7, 1959 piano-four-hands recital by the two Austrian pianists at Carnegie Hall. Both have signed boldly over the first page of the program listing, which included works by Mozart, Hindemith and Schubert. Demus' signature slightly smudged, but otherwise in very fine condition, together with a promotional flyer and two newspaper clippings about the concert. Program 23 pp., 7.25 x 9.75 inches (18.5 x 25 cm).
Charming sepia photograph of the American singer-songwriter in a stand of trees, her arms thrown up in the air. Baez has inscribed "to JJ– / from JB– / well, / Joan Baez." In fine condition. 9.75 x 7 inches (24.8 x 17.8 cm.).
Carte de visite photograph of a Scottish piper, shown draped in his plaid. Photographed by J. Dryburgh of Dalkeith, Scotland. Rather heavily soiled; overall very good. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.3 x 10.4 cm).
Cabinet photograph, ca. 1910's, of Alistair MacWilkie, a Scotsman with an "eleven foot beard," signed and inscribed by MacWilkie in pencil on the verso: "World's Prize Whiskers / Yours truly Alistair MacWilkie, Perthshire, Scotland." Photographed by Frank Wendt of Boonton, N.J., MacWilkie is shown in his kilt, holding bagpipes and with his beard falling to the ground in front of him. Heavy vertical folding crease, with card split on the verso along the fold but intact on the surface of the photograph. Overall good. 4 x 6.5 inches (10.5 x 16.4 cm). Read More...
Signed photograph of the popular American actress and singer, who has inscribed "All love / Pearl" in black felt tip to the left of the image. The composition of the image, which only occupies the right half of the print, makes for a particularly striking composition and example of Bailey's signature. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Grouping of thirteen original photographs from Bailey's personal collection, showing her alone and with her husband, the great drummer Louie Bellson, and with or of other family members, musical and film figures, including a sensational candid photo of Bellson playing traditional drums in an apparent unidentified African tribal setting. Images by Max Machol, Pic Photos, Tudor Owen, Ted Bettencourt and other uncredited photographers, various sizes and formats, generally undated though ranging from roughly 1950 - 1980, most approx. 8 x 10 inches, all in fine condition.
Unusual 7 x 9 inch original photograph of the popular American actress and singer, onstage with Ed Sullivan. This photograph was from Bailey's personal collection and she has identified it in ink on the lower portion as "Ed and Pearl." Slight rippling to surface, else in fine condition, an unusual association.
Signed photograph of the Russian-American conductor, violist, composer and educator, shown during his period as the Music Director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He has signed and inscribed at the lower right in Spanish, dating 1949. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.2 x 25.2 cm).
Uncommon signed album from the tragic jazz great whose intimate playing style established him as a great talent until his drug related death in 1988. "Cool Burnin'" with George Coleman, Kirk Lightsey, Herman Wright and Roy Brooks on Prestige 7496, signed "Chet Baker 1973" and "George Coleman" on the back cover in blue ink. Blue "Trident" stereo labels with "Van Gelder" in dead wax. Vinyl with 1/2" mark producing several light tics, signed cover in fine condition. Read More...
Original program for a June, 1973 performance at Carnegie Hall by the American-born entertainer, who was celebrating her golden jubilee as a performer. The evening included some two dozen songs in both English and French. 28 pp. Wear to cover, overall in fine condition. 8.25 x 11 inches (21 x 27.9 cm.). Read More...
An unusual signed program from a 26 May, 1957 an appearance by the legendary dancer, singer, and actress at the Théâtre du Palais, Dakar during the centenary of the city. The program "Un Hommage à Josephine Baker," featured the "Freres du Theatre d'Afrique / Theatre de L'Ouest Africain / Union Artistique de la Jeunesse Guineenne," with Demba Kanouté performing a poem composed for the occasion, and Mamadou Kouyaté ("coraïste virtuose") and concluded with the official proclamation awarding to Josephine Baker the title of "Présidente d'Honneur de L'Union." Baker has signed "votre grande soeur [your big sister] Josephine Baker" in blue ink to the first page. 8 pp. Gray printed wrappers. In very fine condition.
Signed photograph of the American-born French entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist who became a symbol of the decadent Jazz Age and played a leading role in the advancement of African Americans in the arts. A wonderful image of the entertainer who is shown wearing an elaborate feathered headdress on stage during a performance at the Circle Star Theatre in San Carlos, California, signed and inscribed in blue felt tip to one of the theatre's stagehands. Pin holes through each corner, a few light emulsion spots, else in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Large format signed photograph of the American-born French entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist who became a symbol of the decadent Jazz Age and played a leading role in the advancement of African Americans in the arts. A luminous image of the entertainer with her hands and arms artfully placed across her bare body, vintage glossy 6.5 x 8.5 photo by Studio Piaz of Paris, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, "A Monsieur Emile Dretinier, en souvenir de Josephine Baker, Paris, 1933.” In very good to fine condition, with trimmed edges, tack holes to the corners, light silvering, and mottled foxing. Baker's response to her own nudity: 'I wasn't really naked. I simply didn't have any clothes on.'
Original 1951 Armand of Havana photograph of the legendary entertainer shown in a sumptuous Christian Dior gown and gloves, boldly signed and inscribed in black ink "To Paul / Amicalement / et son devotee / Josephine Baker / 1963." In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.7 x 25.5 cm). Read More...
Vintage 8 x 10 inch doubleweight original photograph of the great singer/dancer "in a happy good mood when she arrives at London airport" in 1959. Fine.
Baker was most noted as a singer, while in her early career she was a celebrated dancer. She was given the nicknames the "Black Venus" or the "Black Pearl", as well as the "Créole Goddess" in anglophone nations, while in France she has always been known in the old theatrical tradition as "La Baker."
Signed vintage sepia Walery postcard photograph of the legendary African American entertainer. A full length portrait, boldly signed and inscribed in blue ink in 1937. 9 x 14 cm. Baker's death year of 1975 written in ink in the lower border (obviously in another hand), otherwise fine. Read More...
Paris: M. Seheur. 1931. Voyages et aventures de Joséphine Baker, illustré de photographies, de hors-texte en couleurs et de nombreux dessins. 149 p., [8] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.). 12 mo (18 cm). One of 1500 copies. Illustrated wrappers, spine reinforced with tape at head and base, wear around edges as usual on this very fragile volume, but a more solid than usual example and internally very fine throughout. Read More...
Autograph letter from the Russian painter and scene and costume designer, known for his extensive work for the Ballets Russes. 1 p. June 21, 1915. To architect and art critic Frantz Jourdain (1847–1935), Bakst writes (translated from the French): "Dear maître, I am very touched by your kind letter and thank you sincerely. I will act according to your advice. Until then, please believe my devoted and cordial sentiments. Leon Bakst." In very fine condition. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.3 x 17.3 cm).
Paris: Imprimerie Modern Style. P. Marmy. Oversize elaborate printed invitation to the 1911 Bal des Quat'z'Arts. The design by the French painter, illustrator and decorator H. Rapin, featuring a highly stylized illustration on Babylonian themes. 19 x 33 cm. Dampstained along the lower edge, left edge and upper margin chipped with a few small losses, else fine. Read More...