20497. Arlen, Harold. (1905–1986). "Harold sings Arlen (with friend)" - LP Signed and Inscribed to his Doctor
New York: Columbia Masterworks. LP record cover boldly inscribed on the front cover in blue ink by the distinguished American composer best known for "Stormy Weather," and for his songs for "The Wizard of Oz": “For Dr. Brecker, Friend + Patient, Harold / 5-26-66.” Mono OL-6520. In very fine condition, together with the LP itself, untested but in apparently fine condition. Read More...
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...
3 page stapled typed plan to "Lose Weight The 'Satchmo' Way by Lucille Armstrong & Louis Armstrong, signed and inscribed in green fountain pen on the first page: "Satchmo /Louis Armstrong." Further inscription to foot of final leaf: "P.S. Satchmo Slogan / the more you shit / the thinner you'll git / no shit." 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm). Somewhat wrinkled; stains to foot of third page. Read More...
Glossy half-length portrait of the legendary musician playing the trumpet on a stage. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.6 cm). Small holes from needles to upper corners (through the margin). Else in fine condition.
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 black and white poster, ca. 1960, with hand gouache coloring by the unidentified artist, signed in blue ink by Louis Armstrong, probably one of the largest signatures he ever signed and almost certainly the largest signed portrait of the great Satchmo in existence! Apparently obtained at the Morris Civic Theatre in South Bend, IN in 1963. In a large recent wood frame under UV-plexiglass. Some creases to the poster, but really in great shape overall. About 36 x 30 inches without the frame! Read More...
Ca. 2955 souvenir program of "Louis Armstrong And His Concert Group / Satchmo The Great" boldly signed in blue ink "Louis Armstrong" and in red "Barney Bigard" to the front cover and to their respective inside program portraits by Danny Barcelona, Mort Herbert, Billy Kyle and Trummy Young. Slightest toning around the edges, overall very fine. 9 x 12 inches.
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...
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).
Signed photograph of the masterful pianist, who has inscribed "To Paul / Claudio Arrau" in black ink. Arrau is shown standing on the stage of Carnegie Hall, its distinctive circular ceiling lights visible in the background. Stamp identifying the pianist to verso. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Attractive grouping of ten original publicity photographs of the great Chilean-born pianist, ca. 1940–1970s. Overall in fine condition, with some minor toning and one photograph irregularly trimmed. Each 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 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...
Signed Louis Mélançon photograph of the great American soprano in costume as Leonora for a Metropolitan Opera production of Verdi's Il Trovatore. Arroyo has inscribed "To Paul / Best wishes / Martina Arroyo" in black ink to the upper right portion of the image. A press note to verso announces that Arroyo will be part of the Met's one-week engagement in Boston. Metropolitan Opera Press Department label to verso. In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 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).
Cover page from a program for a performance with the Spanish National Orchestra in April of 1959, signed to verso by the Dutch pianist and Spanish conductor. In fine condition. 6 x 8 inches (15.2 x 20.3 cm.).
New York: The Sackett & Willhelms Corporation. 1917. Souvenir program for a 1917 performance of Oscar Asche and Frederic Norton's 1916 musical comedy Chu Chin Chow. The program, which features striking gold-tinted and relief-printed illustrations on the front and back cover, includes several lushly printed full-color costume renderings by costume designer Percy Anderson, and a lengthy synopsis of the show. 32 pp. Middle sheet present but separated, else in fine condition. 9 x 12 inches (22.9 x 30.5 cm.). Read More...