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).
Glossy photograph still from the 1934 Hollywood film The Gay Divorcee,signed and inscribed in blue and black felt tip ink by co-stars Fred Astaire and Erik Rhodes to "Dana." Very fine. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Wonderful image of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing in formal attire, boldly signed by both. The poster measures an impressive 40 x 28 inches and has been dry mounted to foam core board. The signature of Ginger Rogers measures 5.5 inches and the Fred Astaire signature measures 3.5 inches. Small tape damage and repair in the center just above one of the bows, some fold-lines from before the mounting, slight area of moisture damage to lower right corner, otherwise fine. Certainly the largest signed photograph of these two film and dance icons that we have ever encountered!
Pair of letters from the American dancer and actor to Sammy Berk, a former vaudeville entertainer who managed Cab Calloway, Jonah Jones, and Duke Ellington. The first letter (autograph letter signed; "Saturday," otherwise undated; 1 p. on personal stationary) reads in full "Dear Sam, / Thanks for your letter. I was very glad to hear from you. / Give my best to the great Jonah and to the boys – please. I miss him a lot. / It was sure a great time we all had. My! My! Didn't that show kill 'em!!!!?! Don't know when I'll be able to get at another one but when I do – I sure hope to get Jonah! / All best Sam / -Fred." The letter almost certainly refers to An Evening with Fred Astaire, the 1958 NBC television special that featured the Jonah Jones Quartet, revived Astaire's career, and won a staggering nine Emmy awards. Vertical and horizontal mailing crease, overall in very good condition. 5.5 x 7 inches (14 x 17.8 cm.). Read More...
Halftone photograph of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the 1937 film Shall We Dance, signed and inscribed "Blessings from Ginger Rogers." An unsigned still of Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind to verso. Light wear to edges, else fine. 8 x 10.75 inches (20.3 x 26.2 cm.).
Lively signed postcard photograph of the Trinidad-born English pianist who was wildly popular with her boogie woogie and ragtime hits. 10 x 15 cm. A few dings, overall fine.
A scarce AMQS from the important violinist and influential pedagogue, teacher of Elman, Heifetz, Milstein, Zimbalist, Parlow, Schumsky and many others. Auer has penned the first three measures of his Romance in F major for violin and piano (op. 4), which was recorded a few years later by the young Heifetz in 1911. Signed and inscribed to the British violinist and composer "Miss Eva Spalding" (1882 - 1969), and dated London, July 8, 1908. On a small calendar leaf dated May 29. Top edge folded under; tape remnant at the left edge and on the verso, otherwise in very good condition. 5 x 2.5 inches (12.9 x 6.1 cm). Read More...
A very rare early signed carte de visite photograph of the important violinist, dating from 1861, when the sixteen-year-old Auer was beginning his studies with Joseph Joachim. He has signed and inscribed on the verso to Linna Sternberg (a relative of Belgian violinist Hermann Sternberg) and dated Brussels, March 13, 1861. 6.3 x 9.4 cm. Small loss to lower right corner, a few small surface losses to verso, one just touching the first letter of the inscription, else fine. Undoubtedly one of, if not THE, earliest signed photograph of the violinist. Read More...
Paris: Editions de la Sirene. 1920. First edition. Signed and inscribed on the title page: "A monsieur Paul Laffitte / bien cordialement / Georges Auric / Paris 23 octobre 1920. " Wrappers toned, generally fine. Read More...
Superb original black and white 1964 photograph of the French composer looking upwards with artist Marc Chagall at the Opéra de Paris. The ceiling area, which surrounds the chandelier, was given a new painting in 1964 by Chagall. Though it proved controversial, many people feeling Chagall's work clashed with the style of the rest of the theatre, the painting remains there today. Auric, part of the famous Les Six, was director of the Opéra from 1962. In fine condition. 7 x 9.2 inches (18 X 23.5 cm.)
Group of 3 mostly blank autograph albums, ready for your collecting to begin! Lacking some pages, in various states of worn condition. One with the word "AUTOGRAPHS" impressed to leather front cover in the shape of twigs, one with gilt edges and faux snakeskin binding, the last with an attractive deco design.
Signed self-portrait sketch from the Italian bass who debuted at La Scala in 1924 and also performed around Europe; in the model of Enrico Caruso, he was a talented caricaturist. He has sketched himself in profile on a sheet of letterhead from the Grand Hotel in Vienna, signed below and dated August 2, 1934. A clipped halftone photograph has been added at the lower left. Some light toning and foxing at the corners; overall fine. 5 x 7.25 inches (13 x 18.6 cm).
Signed and inscribed 8 x 10 inch halftone publicity photograph of the American actor who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on radio, and in the movies and on television and who was also the owner of the California Angels baseball team. Corners slightly nicked, edges with small stains, else fine.
New York: Simon & Schuster. 1959. First edition. 151pp, 11" 14 1/2". First edition, with acetate dust jacket. Fine condition, in stained and toned slipcase which bears a few splits in places. The photographer's first book. and certainly, one of the monuments of twentieth century collaborations between a photographer and author.
Oversize portrait contact sheet of Liza Minnelli and Fred Astaire, in 12 images, photographed by Richard Avedon for the December 1974 issue of Vogue. Signed by Avedon at the lower right. Astaire and Minnelli are shown in several light-hearted posed portraits, and taking direction from Avedon in front of the camera. Original gelatin silver print on card stock. Virtually unhandled; very fine overall. Sight size 12.5 x 16 inches, matted and framed to an overall size of 16.75 x 21 inches. Read More...