1939 4-disc set of first issue 78-RPM records of the cast-recording soundtrack album for the beloved film, inscribed by the composer, Harold Arlen, to his brother and sister-in-law. Housed in original illustrated covers. Inscribed in pen on the first record sleeve: "For Julie + Jean, Love Harold 12-18-39". Songs include "Over the Rainbow", "Munchkinland Part I & II", "If I Only Had a Brain", "If I Only Had a Heart", "The Merry Old Land of Oz", and "We're Off to See The Wizard". This record set includes the only known release of the movie's deleted musical number, "The Jitterbug", as the album was created and distributed before filming wrapped. Discs exhibit very little handling, but are untested. Front cover detached but present, with part of cloth tape torn. Edge wear to the covers, with cloth tape repair between inside front cover and first record sleeve. Overall very good. Read More...
Gouache on white wove paper, 1986. 304x230mm; 12x9 inches. Signed in black ink, lower right recto. This work is registered under number APA #1002.86.004 in the archive of the Studio Arman in New York. Ex-collection Monsieur Jean-Louis Martinoty, director of the Opéra in Paris from 1986-1989. Read More...
Signed photograph postcard featuring a portrait of the great American trumpet player, who has inscribed "To Geo Gaber/ Satch/ Louis Armstrong" in green ink. Dated by the recipient "Bell Telephone 1/1/60" to lower right corner. Mounting remnant to verso, else fine. 3.5 x 5 inches (8.9 x 12.7 cm.). Read More...
Boston: Jean White. 1881. Method for the cornet and saxhorn, from the collection of Jack Bradley, personal photographer and close friend of Louis Armstrong. While we can't know if this method was used by Satchmo himself, the association is compelling. Volume shows signs of wear, with a few pencil markings on the first few pages of exercises. Shaken but tight binding; loose hinges; page discoloration and foxing; edge wear; bowing. 10 x 13 inches (25 x 32.5 cm). This edition is uncommon, with Worldcat listing no examples.
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.
New York: Allen, Towne & Heath, Inc.. 1947. First edition. Story of Louis Armstrong, inscribed by Armstrong on the front free endpage "To my life long Buddy Bill Davidson from Louis Armstrong." First edition in English, published in French, in Paris, in the same year. Hardcover, original blue cloth, title in gilt to spine, treble clef embossed to the upper board. Portrait frontispiece, 304 pp. Signed page heavily toned, half title with two small punched holes, spine rubbed with ends a bit frayed, somewhat shaken but solid. Read More...
Original William Gottlieb black and white photograph of the great Satchmo, circa 1946-48; printed circa 1979. Gottlieb, who has signed his name and added a copyright symbol to the lower left, has captured a perspiring Satchmo in mid-performance, his horn raised to his lips. In fine condition. Sight: 10.25 x 13.25 inches (26 x 33.6 cm.); framed to 16.75 x 20.75 inches (42.5 x 52.7 cm.). Literature: The Golden Age of Jazz, Pomegranate Artbooks, 1995, p. 100. Read More...
18497. [Arne, Thomas Augustine. (1710-1778)]. "This present Saturday...will be performed...the Serious Opera of 'Artaxerxes'" - Original 1813 Broadside
Original broadside for a Saturday, October 16, 1831 performance at Theatre Royal, Covent Garden of the composer's opera, performed for the "8th time" and "[c]ompressed into two acts." Broadside also advertises performances of "the Burlesque Tragick Opera" Bombastes Furioso and the "Farce (with Songs)" Love, Law and Physick." Creases and rough edges, but overall in fine condition for its age. Approximately 8.25 x 12.25 inches (21.3 x 42.5 cm).
A signed photograph postcard of the Spanish child prodigy pianist, later to become a successful violinist. Arriola has signed across the right of his image as a rather sulky-looking teenage boy. Undated. In fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.7 x 13.8 cm). Read More...
An AMQS from the Spanish child prodigy pianist, later to become a successful violinist and the composer of several works for piano. On a postcard showing bullfighting in Madrid, Arriola has penned three measures, titled "Nocturno." Undated, ca. 1910-1920. The postcard is addressed on the verso to the Argentinian collector Ramona Imaz Otaño. In fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.7 x 13.8 cm). Read More...
An attractive original miniature collage of a bird, ca. 1850, executed in ink and feathers. The bird, carefully composed of real bird feathers, is shown perched on a miniature hill with trees. On a small sheet, mounted on a larger leaf. Slight rubbing and cracks; overall fine. 3.5 x 2.75 inches (9 x 7 cm), mounted to 8 x 7.5 inches (20.5 x 19.2 cm).
Group of 5 finely executed original pencil and watercolor drawings of birds, ca. 1850. The drawings, two in pencil and three in pencil with watercolors added, depict parrots and a pelican. Some light toning, but overall in fine condition. Two drawings ca. 5.5 x 7.5 inches (13.5 x 19 cm), three ca. 7 x 10.5 inches (18 x 27 cm).
Autograph postcard from the American painter, illustrator and sculptor. August 15, 1978. On a postcard of the illuminated castle in Heidelberg, he has penned: "Dear Steve, Not my work but I thought you might dig the picture. Happy days - Richard Artschwager." 5.75 x 4 inches (14.8 x 10.5 cm).
Early recital program from a Sunday, October 17, 1965 performance at Symphony Hall in Boston. The Russian pianist has signed to the top of the program listing, which included works by Bach, Schumann, Ravel, and Scriabin. 8 pp. Very fine. 6 x 9 inches (15.2 x 22.9 cm).
Signed program from the young pianist's Carnegie Hall debut on October 24, 1958. Ashkenazy has signed (in Cyrillic) over the first page of the program listing, which included Brahms' Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, as well as works by Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev. In very fine condition, together with two newspaper clippings about the recital, a photocopied sheet of further press clippings, and a promotional flyer. The New York Times judged: "Mr. Ashkenazy is a young poet of the piano. He is no thunderer. He does not seek to overpower with speed or brilliance... And whatever music he undertakes he performs with individuality." Program 19 pp., 7.25 x 9.25 inches (18.5 x 24.8 cm).
Original press photograph of the great Russian pianist looking happy with his wife, Þórunn (Dody) Jóhannsdóttir. Original press caption reads: "25-year-old Vladimir Ashkenazy, the Russian concert pianist, has been granted permission to remain in Britain with his wife and baby son." The Ashkenazys left the USSR after many struggles with the authorities over permission to travel and remained in England for several years before moving to Iceland in 1968. In fine condition. 20.5 x 25 cm.
Signed photograph of the writer and scientist, who is shown holding his E. E. Smith Memorial Award for Imaginative Fiction (awarded to him in 1967) and has signed and inscribed over the center: "To Anita with hugs and kisses / Isaac Asimov." He has added a further note over his hand: "See my award!" Photographed by Jay K. Klein, with photographer's credit on the verso. Some light edge wear; overall fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.5 x 25.3 cm).
A superb signed doubleweight 8 x 10 inch black-and-white photograph of the legendary dancer in the role of Bake Baker in the 1936 film "Follow the Fleet," which included some of Irving Berlin's most popular tunes. Boldly signed in black ink.
Original press photograph, ca. 1952, showing the great dancer and entertainer with one of the horses on his ranch. Press caption on the verso reads: "When Fred Astaire isn't in front of the cameras he can quickly be found at his Chatsworth ranch where the offspring of his famed horse Triplicate romp and roam..." One stain at the upper right; otherwise very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20 x 24.5 cm).