Paris: Chez Cuchet. 1783. First, 1st issue. 8vo. 19.5x12.5 cm (7¾x5"). [i-iii] iv-xl, [1] 2-299, [3], 9 engraved plates (plate v as frontispiece). Contemporary full vellum with five raised bands, pages edged in red. With the ownership signature “Dutillet” to the inside front board in a contemporary hand, raising the intriguing possibility that this copy hails from the family of Évrard Titon du Tillet (1677-1762), great patron of the arts and secretary to Louis XIV, whose family mansion “La Folie Titon” was the sight of the first tethered balloon flight on October 19th, 1783 (Réveillon, de Rozier and de Villette). A later ownership signature “Allonneaud” in pencil, on the blank recto of the frontis engraving. A few pages slightly irregularly cut, including one partially separating from the gutter, else fine. References: Dibner, Heralds of Science 179; PMM 229; Norman 769; Sparrow, Milestones of Science 179; Tissandier p.21. Read More...
Exuberant original 1963 candid photograph of the stunning Natalie Wood, the incredible Jerome Robbins and the magnificent Anne Bancroft. This photograph was taken backstage after the opening of "Mother Courage" which starred Miss Bancroft. 7 x 9 inches, clipping on the verso, slight bend along right edge.
Signed 20th Century-Fox Player promotional photograph of the American actress, who has boldly inscribed "To Paul / Anne Bancroft" in black ink. In very fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
19023. [Banjo] Harris, Harry C.. "The Banjo. An Original Imitation of this Inimitable Instrument, for the Piano"
Philadelphia: Lee & Walker. 1857. Upright folio. 4 pp. Engraved throughout, featuring graphically striking illustration of the banjo on the cover. Pages fully separated along spine, upper right corner perished, three short horizontal tears, else fine. 9 x 13.25 inches (22.9 x 33.6 cm.).
Signed promotional photograph of the American actress in the 1953 MGM comedy Main Street to Broadway, a film that featured contemporary Broadway stars such as Bankhead playing exaggerated versions of their public personas. Embossed National Screen Service stamp to lower right corner, stamp reading "4 May 27 53" to verso. Moderate edgewear, else in fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Boldly penned AMQS from the popular English composer. Four measures from an unidentified work in B minor, marked "Con Anima" and "mf espress[ivo]" and signed "Granville Bantock." On a small paper measuring 11 x 5.5 cm. Scarce.
Amusing concert program for an 1889 concert of sacred music at the Baptist Meeting House in Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts, written throughout in a precious "ye olde English" style. The concert took place "on ye evening of Thursday, May 9, 1889 at earlie candle lighte, wh occurs by ye Olde Farmers' Almanack, and not ye new fangled time, at 7.45 of ye clocke... For a true and faithful chronicle of all ye events wh will then come to pass, see ye lyst wh is in ye middle of ye booke [etc., etc.]" 16 pp. Original green wrapper with some edge nicks; overall toning; otherwise in very good condition. 7.5 x 10 inches (19 x 26 cm).
Newark: Rising Tide. [1990]. First. 8vo., 16 pp. black wrappers lettered in pink, orange and blue, stapled, as issued; minor soiling. First edition, first printing (not to be confused with the more commonly seen xeroxed edition with silver wrappers). A remarkable presentation copy, inscribed: "For Marlene / Be Everything We Need / Amiri Baraka, '91," on the front pastedown.
10125. Barber, Samuel. (1910–1981). Collection of privately issued and limited edition recordings of Barber, some inscribed
Nineteen rare gramophone recordings, privately issued, some from broadcasts (some probably unique), several with autograph writing or inscribed, twelve of which are contained in a worn cloth record binder stamped "Samuel Barber Compositions," including of Barber as baritone, accompanying himself performing: Brahms, "Der Gang zum Liebchen", "Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht"; Schubert, "Der Jüngling an der Quelle"; Schumann, "In der Fremde"; Mendelssohn, "Ist es wahr?"; C.P.E. Bach "Nonnelied", and Tuscan, English, Kentucky and Tyrolean folk-songs: all at the Curtis Institute, 26 Dec[ember 19]38, 4 records, privately issued, 78 RPM. Read More...
Press Photograph of the former First Lady and the American composer attending a performance at The Metropolitan Opera House. Caption above image reads in part "The two will attend the Met's 125th Anniversary performance." Stamp to verso dated December 8, 1967. Printed in low contrast sepia for publication mockup, overall good. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Original press photograph ca. 1971 showing the important American composer looking over a score with the conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the chair of the Girard bank of Philadelphia, which had commissioned a new work by Barber for the orchestra. The resulting work, The Lovers (op.43), is scored for baritone, chorus, and orchestra and based on texts of Pablo Neruda. A crisp image in very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches; 25.3 x 20.5 cm.
Printed bifold 1962 invitation to the Birthday Party of British-American poet W.H. Auden, addressed in Auden's hand to "Mr. Samuel Barber" at the head in ink and annotated by Barber in pencil with musical rhythms and some calculations on the verso, the inside being blank and thus easily displayed open so both sides are visible. In fine condition, a remarkable association. From the collection of Barber's close friend Manfred Ibel. Read More...
Original certificate awarding the important American composer the Governor's Citation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Dated September 22, 1971 and signed by Governor Milton J. Shapp and Secretary of the Commonwealth C. Delores Tucker. Born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Barber studied at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and maintained a close link to the city throughout his life. The composer's name is hand-lettered and a gold seal with purple ribbons is affixed at the foot. One slight chip to the edge and mounting remnants on the verso; overall in fine condition. 11 x 14 inches (28 x 35.7 cm).
New York: G. Schirmer. 1958. First. Vocal Score. Piano reduction by the composer. 4to. Softcover. Lithograph. [PN 44349]. Title (Licensing note); Characters (Synopsis); Synopsis (vb); 1–269 pp. Barber has inscribed to the conductor who lead the work's premiere, "For Dear Dimitri— / with appreciation boundless / affectionately, / Sam / Capricorn [Barber's house in Mount Kisco, NY] October '58" in black ink to the title page. Partial internal separation of wrapper from spine, general wear to cover and spine, else in fine condition. Read More...
Signed original doubleweight A. Laviosa of NY photograph of the British conductor and cellist, who has inscribed in fountain pen ink to the Box Office Treasurer of the New York Philharmonic, "To Edward Hochner / with all good wishes / John Barbirolli." Very fine. 6.75 x 9 inches (17.1 x 22.9 cm.).
Original caricature of the important British conductor, signed by the noted American illustrator and caricaturist Sam Norkin. Barbirolli is depicted conducting in concert dress, during his time as the conductor of the New York Philharmonic (1936–1943). Black and white ink on card, with pencil caption at the foot. Some light toning and wear; overall fine. 9.5 x 13.5 inches (24 x 33 cm). Read More...
Signed photograph of the Israeli pianist and conductor at the podium, his arm raised in a dramatic gesture. Signature to a dark area, else in very fine condition. 5 x 7 inches (12.7 x 17.8 cm.).
Throughout his career, Barenboim has served as Music Director for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, La Scala, and the Berlin State Opera and Staatskapelle Berlin.
A short autograph note from the German composer, the half-brother of Clara Schumann who taught at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik and, with Brahms, edited the complete works of Schumann and Chopin. He has written a short request (translated from the German): "Please provide Mr. Beal with a room," and signed at the foot in pencil. Toning and mounting remnants; overall very good. 5 x 4.25 inches (13 x 11 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...
A lovely hand-colored photograph postcard of the Spanish coloratura soprano, with a facsimile signature above and an autograph signature at the left, dated 1905. On the verso, the postcard is addressed to the Argentinian collector Ramona Imaz Otaño, with the original stamp and postmark. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.7 x 13.7 cm). Read More...